The United States welcomes Russians seeking asylum amid President Vladimir Putin’s “unpopular” war, White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

“We believe that regardless of their nationality, they can seek asylum in the United States,” she said.

Earlier in the day, an ally of President Putin issued a sharp new nuclear warning to Ukraine and the West as Russia began to publish the results of referendums it sees as a prelude to the annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

The number of Russians entering the EU has increased following a partial mobilization ordered by Moscow, and illegal crossings could increase if Russia decides to close the border to would-be recruits, EU border agency Frontex said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

“Over the past week, almost 66,000 Russian citizens entered the EU, which is 30% more than last week. The majority arrived in Finland and Estonia,” Frontex said in a statement.

In the last four days alone, 30,000 Russian citizens have arrived in Finland, the report says.

To avoid the convoys of cars that stretch for about 20 kilometers, Russians, who are trying to avoid the partial mobilization ordered by Vladimir Putin, cross the border with Georgia on foot.

Columns of cars on the border with Georgia are also visible from the satellite.