Putin's Envoy Compares Migrant Surge to Fall of Rome: 'Barbarians at the Gates'

A prominent Russian official has drawn parallels between the current migrant influx into Europe and the historical fall of the Roman Empire, sparking controversy. Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president's special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, posted a provocative message on social media platform X.

Dmitriev's post featured an image of migrants entering the Spanish enclave of Ceuta alongside Thomas Cole's painting "The Course of Empire – Destruction." He captioned it: "Barbarians at the Gate: 410 AD vs Now," directly comparing the current situation to the Visigoths' sack of Rome in 410 AD.

This commentary followed a large-scale attempt by migrants, primarily from Morocco, to enter Ceuta, an EU territory on the North African coast. Spanish authorities reported that between 2,000 and 3,000 migrants, mostly young men, crossed the border in a single day. Reports indicated that hundreds managed to scale the border fence while police presence was temporarily reduced.

Ceuta and Melilla, the only land borders between the EU and Africa, have long been focal points for migrants seeking to reach Europe. These enclaves frequently experience mass border crossing attempts, highlighting ongoing migration pressures.

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Barbarians at the Gate: 410 AD vs Now