Ukraine needs EU data to plan refugee returns
Ukraine wants to obtain data on its citizens abroad (Photo: Passport Service Vinnytsia / Facebook)
Ukraine needs detailed data on Ukrainians under temporary protection in European Union countries, including vulnerable groups, to plan return policies and prepare local communities, Social Policy Minister Denys Uliutin said after meeting EU migration chief Magnus Brunner on May 7.
“Our position is clear: we want Ukrainians to return home, but this must be a voluntary and informed decision. The key factor in making such a decision remains security, which depends on the situation on the ground and on our armed forces. Therefore, people must have clear, predictable and legal opportunities to remain in the EU until conditions for return are ensured,” the minister said.
He discussed with Brunner issues related to legal migration and labor market integration, preserving Ukraine’s human capital for future reconstruction and the role of Unity Hubs as a tool for maintaining ties with Ukrainians abroad.
Uliutin said the first Unity Hub, opened in Berlin, has already shown significant demand among Ukrainian citizens, providing nearly 500 consultations during its first two weeks of operation.
According to U.N. data, nearly 1 million Ukrainians currently have protection status in Poland alone, out of 5.4 million across Europe. Poland received the largest number of Ukrainian refugees during the first year of the war before later being overtaken by Germany.
At the same time, Poland has one of the highest employment rates among Ukrainians granted temporary protection in Europe because of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
On April 20, The Times reported that Ukrainians living in Ireland could be offered “generous” payments to return home as the Irish government plans to phase out refugee accommodation contracts within a year.
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