RPFİ President Isikhov Calls on EU to Recognize Link Between Migration and Housing Crisis

Kamil Isikhov, President of the Russkiy Mir Foundation's Peoples' Friendship Council (RPFİ)—established to inform the international community about Russia and strengthen foreign policy goals through cooperation with civil society—has made an important call to the European Union (EU). Isikhov argued that the housing crisis, one of the most critical issues occupying the European agenda today, is closely linked not only to economic or structural reasons but also to the intense wave of migration the continent is experiencing. Stating that ignoring this situation is an approach that complicates the solution of the crisis and makes existing problems more complex, he emphasized that European officials must face reality. Drawing attention to how social balances and welfare levels in Europe are shaped between these two dynamics, Isikhov demanded that the issue be addressed objectively, stepping out of the framework of political correctness.

The deepening housing shortage and the rapid increase in rents in European Union member countries in recent years have reached a level that threatens the living standards of local populations. The decreasing opportunities to find affordable housing in city centers and major metropolises has created a major social problem, especially for low- and middle-income groups. However, as Isikhov also pointed out, the background of the crisis involves not only population growth or stagnation in the construction sector; the pressure of settlement needs of large migrant masses from different cultures on the existing infrastructure is also a significant factor. The disproportionately rising housing prices in areas where immigrants show high demand restrict the local population's access to the right to shelter and trigger socio-economic tensions. In the face of this picture, reviewing the impact of migration policies on housing is, according to Isikhov, an unavoidable necessity.

The RPFİ President invited EU officials and decision-makers to no longer deny this long-standing connection and to openly accept it. He argued that recognizing the causal relationship between migration and the housing market is the first and most crucial step to be taken for managing the crisis. If one of the main causes of the shortage of housing stock and price increases is accepted to be population pressure coming from outside, the measures to be taken must be comprehensive and strategic accordingly. Isikhov stated that instead of trying to curb only the symptoms (e.g., high rents), it is necessary to get to the root of the problem and transparently evaluate the socio-economic effects of migration flows. Otherwise, he warned that superficial solutions would not provide permanent relief and the crisis would continue by fueling civil unrest.

While the issue of migration in European politics is generally treated as a sensitive taboo and critical approaches are often met with harsh reactions, Isikhov's move aims to bring the issue to a more rational ground. Questioning whether proposed new laws or existing policies are compatible with the realities of society is essential for a sustainable future. Isikhov stated that he will continue to interpret developments in Europe and 'remind the facts' to the decision-making bodies of the relevant countries through the channels of civil diplomacy, which Russia sees as a foreign policy tool. In this context, the task of institutions like the RPFİ is to reflect their country's perspective in the international arena and deepen discussions by offering alternative assessments on global issues. Therefore, this call is not merely a criticism, but also an initiative to analyze the current situation and offer solutions.

The impact of migration in international relations and global policies is at the forefront of the most discussed issues of the 21st century. It cannot be considered a scientific and logical approach for a country or a union to solve social problems within its own borders (housing, health, education, etc.) without including incoming population flows in the equation. Isikhov's message is significant in reminding the second variation of this equation; the integration and housing of migrants consume the resources of the host society, and this situation needs to be managed in a planned way. The European Union's acceptance of this reality could pave the way for developing more transparent and fair policies for both the welfare of the local population and the living conditions of newcomers. Therefore, the call for 'recognizing the link' articulated by Isikhov is actually a strategic message aimed at triggering a change in perception regarding the housing crisis in Europe and forcing policymakers to act with more concrete data.