Ukraine wants to bring more refugees back from Germany

The Ukrainian government wants to make greater efforts to ensure the return of war refugees living in Germany. For this purpose, so-called “Unity Hubs” are planned in Berlin and later in other locations to support refugees with job and housing placements or with educational opportunities.

“A significant number of Ukrainians are seriously considering returning home,” Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, who prepared the opening of the centers during a visit to Berlin last week, told the DPA news agency. He heads a Ministry of National Unity that was founded in December specifically for the return of refugees.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 1.1 million Ukrainians have fled to Germany – more than to any other country. Today only 32 million people live in the areas controlled by the government in Kiev. At the time of independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, according to government figures, there were still 52 million across Ukraine. The government estimates the number of Ukrainians living abroad at 20 to 25 million.

Chernyshov said that given the population decline, workers in Ukraine were needed primarily in defense production, the energy sector and reconstruction. These are “critical industries,” he said. Returnees would be deferred from military service if they worked there. “So if you work at a power plant, you won’t be called up. You have a guarantee.”

But those Ukrainians who want to stay in Germany should also be supported in the “Unity Hubs”, for example in finding a job or obtaining professional qualifications. “They should not be a burden on the government,” emphasized the minister.