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With reports of Russians fleeing the country in their thousands to avoid being called up to fight in Ukraine, European Union politicians have been looking at what to do. One proposal is that the EU encourage the defections by offering a work permit and $3,000 (US).

The idea comes from Poland's former foreign minister and MEP, Radek Sikorski. He told Newsday: 鈥淚 recognise that this would be controversial鈥�but鈥�these people would be taking some risk and voting with their feet to check out of this war of aggression and I think that requires some encouragement and recognition from our side.鈥�

(Picture: Russian Police officers detain a protester during an anti-war protest in Moscow following President Vladimir Putin鈥檚 mobilisation for war against Ukraine. Credit: Getty Images.)