A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RUSSIAN – UKRAINIAN CONFLICT AND THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICTS AND THE REFUGEE RESPONSES TOWARDS THE TWO REFUGEE CRISIS

Abstract

In the 21st century, the international arena has faced numerous challenges, including pandemics, armed conflicts and various crises (economic and refugee crisis). Many of these challenges have elicited specific responses, however, only a few have been constructive, while many have had negative consequences. Notably, the great powers often adopt legal measures and acts without assuming that they will be used within their own territories. One of these types of measures pertains to the refugee crisis which are result of armed conflicts and European Union (EU) as a significant global power has been profoundly affected by them on its borders. The European refugee crisis, precipitated by conflicts in the Middle East, and the recent influx of Ukrainian refugees occurred in quick succession. While some EU member states subtly resisted appropriately responding to Middle Eastern refugees, the EU now faces a much larger number of Ukrainian refugees, who are generally perceived as deserving a warm welcome. The recent crises have demonstrated that, despite the Western developed countries’ implementation of numerous international laws intended to aid refugees, these laws were not consistently upheld. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern refugees continue to seek refuge in more peaceful regions where international laws seem inapplicable, leading to a divided world. Consequently, Ukrainian refugees appear to receive more rights and better treatment compared to other refugees in the past.