Concerns of European countries regarding the emigration of young Ukrainians
Germany and other European countries express concern about the emigration of young Ukrainians from the country, emphasizing the need for their return to support the state. The number of young men leaving for the EU is increasing, prompting restrictions and changes in refugee policy. A briefing by the spokesperson of the German government, Stefan Cornelius, took place on January 7, where this issue was highlighted.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated the necessity for young Ukrainian men to serve at the 'coalition of willing' summit in Paris. The temporary protection status for Ukrainians in Europe is valid until 2027; however, starting from April 1, 2025, social support for new refugees in Germany decreased from 563 euros to 441 euros per month. As of July 2025, 64.1% of registered Ukrainians in Germany were unemployed, raising concerns among the authorities.
Increasing migration and government response
The number of young men leaving Ukraine rose from 19 per week in August to 1400-1800 per week in October 2025. In Poland, from January to August 2025, 45,300 Ukrainian men aged 18-22 crossed the border, while the figure reached 98,500 in September-October. In response, Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder called for limiting the entry of young Ukrainians in October 2025.
Jürgen Hardt noted that 'we are not interested in young Ukrainians spending time in Germany instead of defending their country'.
At the same time, the Polish government does not plan to extend the temporary protection for Ukrainians after March 4, 2026. Overall, as of the end of October 2025, 4.3 million people who fled Ukraine are under temporary protection in the EU.
These figures and statements indicate that European countries, particularly Germany and Poland, are striving to control the situation regarding the emigration of young Ukrainians, emphasizing the importance of their return to support Ukraine amid the war. Given the reduction in social support and the increasing number of departures, the issue of integration and return of Ukrainians becomes critically important for stability in Ukraine and for neighboring countries that host refugees.