The European Union’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum, effective June 2026, poses significant challenges for LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing persecution in Russia.

With low acceptance rates for Russian asylum seekers, only 414 of 8,000 claims were granted in 2024, as new laws in Russia further restrict LGBTQ+ rights.

The pact introduces stricter border controls and the concept of ‘safe third countries,’ potentially leading to faster rejections and returns for those fleeing oppressive regimes.