Germany is ready to assist Ukraine in identifying men of draft age residing in Germany. This may involve using information about registration, residency status, and social assistance. At the same time, forced return is not being discussed. Earlier, payments to Ukrainian men were already discussed in Germany. This is reported by Bild.
How Germany can help identify Ukrainian men
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that German authorities have information about Ukrainians officially residing in the country.
This includes data on residence registration, residency status, and receipt of social benefits.
«Ultimately, we know who lives here, who is receiving social benefits, who is registered, and who has resident status,» said Wadephul.
According to the minister, using such information could help Ukraine identify its citizens of draft age who are in Germany.
After that, the Ukrainian side could officially contact them and send relevant messages. However, Berlin has not yet announced the launch of a specific mechanism for transferring such data.
The issue of Ukrainian men in Germany has repeatedly become the subject of political discussions. In March 2026, about 350,000 Ukrainian men aged 18–63 were in the country.
Will Germany forcibly return Ukrainians?
Wadephul emphasized that the return of Ukrainian men should occur without coercion. Therefore, his words do not mean the implementation of deportation or the automatic sending of conscripted individuals to Ukraine.
Currently, this concerns a political proposal by the head of the German Foreign Ministry. No official decision from the German government has been made regarding the creation of a mechanism for transferring personal data for such purposes.
This is fundamentally important because the mere fact of a Ukrainian man of draft age being in Germany does not automatically mean the possibility of his forced return.
At the same time, discussions about social support for Ukrainians in Germany are intensifying. From April 2026, the rules for receiving social benefits have become stricter: refusal to work or participate in integration measures may result in the suspension of part of the assistance.
Thus, Wadephul’s statement does not change the legal status of Ukrainian men in Germany. It concerns possible assistance to Ukraine in identifying them and voluntary return rather than the announcement of a mechanism for forced deportation.