The United Nations has admitted that "some non-European refugees have encountered racism while trying to flee to safety on the border of Ukraine".

The Independent newspaper reported that the High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, admitted in a statement issued on Tuesday to this matter.

"UNHCR is aware of reports of individuals facing challenges entering Poland from Ukraine and is following them up," Christine Pirovolaki, External Relations Officer at UNHCR UK, told the newspaper. "We are calling for access to safety for all, Regardless of their legal status, nationality and ethnicity, in addition to obtaining asylum for those who wish to seek asylum.”

Non-Ukrainians told the British newspaper they had been "abandoned during the deepening crisis", after reports of racism as they were prevented from crossing the border and given priority to Ukrainians.

 Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, stressed that the latter "rejects discrimination against some foreign nationals trying to flee Ukraine."

In a statement issued following reports that some citizens of other countries, such as students and workers from Africa and Asia, are not allowed to board transport across the Ukrainian border, Stephane Dujarric explained that "the Secretary-General strongly rejects, in any form whatsoever, any discrimination based on race, religion or national origin in the context of this conflict as well as in relation to the treatment of people trying to leave Ukraine in search of refuge in another country.”