Germany understands that Ukraine needs people to support its armed forces and the country’s reconstruction, but Berlin is pursuing a cautious policy on the return of men of conscription age, Tobias Schneider, head of the German-Ukrainian society in the city of Trier, told NV.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed reducing the outflow of men of conscription age from Ukraine during a meeting in Berlin on April 14. Both leaders acknowledged that Ukrainians’ support is needed for their homeland.
But statements by Merz and other influential German politicians about supporting Kyiv’s efforts to restrict the departure of conscription-age men to the EU are essentially an attempt to balance humanitarian protection for refugees, international law and Ukraine’s wartime needs, Schneider said.
“Restrictions or excessive pressure would undermine the principle of refugee protection in a European democratic country,” he said. “Encouraging Ukrainians to join the armed forces is justified, but only without coercion and corruption.”
Schneider also stressed the need to respect Ukrainians’ freedom of choice regarding their possible continued stay in Germany. At the same time, he noted that Ukraine is fighting for its existence in a war with Russia and needs people for defense, support and reconstruction.
Western analysts interviewed by NV say the only viable approach for EU countries toward Ukraine is sustained political, economic and military support. In this context, it is important to create conditions for the voluntary return of Ukrainians. Exceeding the limits of pressure or discussing deportations is morally wrong, Schneider added.
Sociologists from the INSA Institute in Erfurt found in a recent survey that more than 60% of Germans believe Ukrainian men should be sent back to their homeland as soon as possible, while only 18% oppose the idea.