Ukrainian refugees’ differentiated treatment: A critical and systematic review

• In Event: The critical role of the third sector in the Ukraine crisis across Europe

Abstract

Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced due to the current conflict, and an emerging body of literature has examined Ukrainians’ re‐settlement processes. An equally profound facet of the conflict has been how Ukrainians are treated differently vis‐à‐vis other refugee groups. Following the conventions of the traditional systematic review, but also including grey‐literature, I synthesise and interrogate the research on Ukrainian refugees’ differentiated treatment, showing how the case of Ukrainian refugees illuminate how refugee reception is conditioned by a range of factors. These factors include conceptions of cultural similarity, vulnerability, demographics (e.g., age and gender), and how Russia is conceived of as a common enemy for Western societies. These factors spur people, organisations, institutions, and nations to respond to Ukrainians in ways that are unparalleled. Importantly, civil society acted as a powerful conduit in meeting Ukrainians needs and emerged as the first ‘emergency responders’ within this context, and thus provided us with some of the first illustrations of how this differentiated treatment looked like. These findings are discussed critically, and further suggestions are provided to properly conceptualise the subject matter. Specifically, drawing on the notions of ‘promising victimhood’, Ukrainian refugees’ differentiated treatment can be better understood, while still encouraging researchers to theoretically develop this framework. The review provides a benchmark for academics and policymakers, showing how we must be attentive to how flaws in refugee reception occur across levels and sectors, and reveal systemic injustices that need to be addressed.

Author

• Tony Blomqvist Mickelsson, Sodertorns hogskola