By The FirstDuring Tuesday’s White House press conference, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the U.S. would accept Russian migrants fleeing Putin’s conscription push. A reporter pressed Jean-Pierre about reports of military-age men fleeing across borders or even injuring themselves to avoid going to war.
“I know the White House has drawn a distinction between the Russian government and the people of Russia. Does the president have a message for some of these men who are desperately trying to flee the country?” a reporter asked.
“We are seeing protests in the streets of Russia, we are seeing people sign petitions, and I think the message they are sending to us very clearly is that this war that Putin started…is unpopular,” Jean-Pierre responded. “There are people out there in Russia who do not want to fight Putin’s war or die for it.”
“We believe that, regardless of nationality, they may apply for asylum in the United States and have their claim adjudicated on a case-by-case basis,” she added. “We welcome any folks who are seeking asylum, and they should do that.”
From Fox News:
Putin ordered a partial mobilization of the Russian military last week, drafting up 300,000 reserve troops. The move has led to widespread fear of general conscription amid the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
