Aid for Ukrainians in Lithuania ends up with other foreigners, including Russians
Photo: In Lithuania, aid intended for Ukrainians went to other foreigners (Getty Images)
A scandal has erupted in Lithuania over EU aid intended for Ukrainians, which went to citizens of other countries, including Russians and Belarusians, LRT reports.
Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania have been receiving comprehensive support, including food, hygiene products, medicines, legal assistance, Lithuanian language courses, and employment subsidies.
In 2022–2023, the European Union allocated nearly €17 million to Lithuania for the implementation of the Aid for War Refugees from Ukraine program. However, it has come to light that assistance intended exclusively for Ukrainians was also extended to individuals from Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and other countries who held residence permits in Lithuania.
According to the investigation, a total of 813 individuals from 43 countries received aid. They benefited from Lithuanian language courses and employment subsidies. This misallocation led to an estimated financial loss of over €1 million, which Lithuania will now have to repay to the EU.
The Ministry of Social Security and Labour has launched an internal audit, while the European Social Fund Agency (ESFA), which oversaw the project, has reportedly parted ways with its director.
ESFA claims that under the regulations in place at the time, providing such aid to non-Ukrainians was technically permissible, and that the actual number of erroneously assisted individuals was 484.
Meanwhile, the allocation of aid to Russians and Belarusians caused a wave of hatred among Lithuanian officials.
Ukrainian refugees in EU
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians sought refuge in the EU. As of mid-April 2025, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recorded 6.918 million Ukrainian refugees worldwide.
According to Ukraine's Ministry of Economy, another 100,000 Ukrainians have left for Europe since the beginning of 2025. The largest Ukrainian refugee populations are currently found in Germany, Poland, Czechia, and the United Kingdom.
The European Commission forecasts a gradual return of refugees to Ukraine beginning later this year. The National Bank of Ukraine estimates that an additional 200,000 people may return to Ukraine by the end of 2025.
