European countries have started to actively reach out to Ukraine regarding the return of citizens who are abroad following the onset of the full-scale war. The majority of such requests come from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany, which have taken in the largest number of Ukrainian refugees. This was stated in an interview by the head of the State Migration Service of Ukraine, Natalia Naumenko.
Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany are sending more requests
According to the head of the SMS, there has been a noticeable increase recently in the number of inquiries from European states regarding the return of Ukrainian citizens.
This concerns the readmission procedure — a mechanism that allows for the official return of a person to their country of citizenship in case they lose their legal grounds for staying abroad.
«We have quite a number of requests from European countries regarding the return of our citizens — both men and women — to Ukraine,» — noted Natalia Naumenko.
According to her, there is already serious dynamics in this direction.
The future of temporary protection remains uncertain
Meanwhile, discussions continue in the European Union regarding the future of the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians.
Currently, it is effective until March 2027, but there is no final decision on its extension or termination yet.
The head of the SMS reported that European countries are already discussing various action scenarios after the expiration of the current residency rules for Ukrainians in the EU.
Despite reports of a possible extension of temporary protection until 2028, some countries are increasingly raising the issue of returning Ukrainian citizens to their homeland.
The return of Ukrainians is becoming a subject of negotiations
According to Naumenko, Ukraine is participating in consultations with European partners regarding future mechanisms for the return of citizens.
At the same time, there is currently no talk of mass forced repatriation of Ukrainians. The main focus is on legal procedures for individuals who will lose the grounds for lawful residence in EU countries.
Experts also remind that even after the war ends, a significant number of Ukrainians may remain in Europe permanently. Therefore, the issue of refugee return is already becoming one of the key areas of migration policy for both Ukraine and EU countries.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine is developing a digital platform "Home" that will facilitate the planning of return and reintegration of people in Ukraine.