The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiha, stated that around 8 million Ukrainians are currently abroad, exceeding the initial estimate of 6 million. He emphasized that the return of Ukrainian citizens is a strategic priority for the government, noting that this figure poses a security challenge for the country.
Simultaneously, Mr. Sybiha noted that not all countries are interested in the return of Ukrainians, given their significant contributions to local economies and the high qualifications of Ukrainian specialists abroad. He stated that Ukraine will need to exert efforts to ensure the return of its citizens.
One example of an incentive mechanism is the Swiss program, which provides financial support to citizens during the initial period after their return, including transportation and housing costs. The Minister stressed that these measures have already been initiated, and the MFA is engaging in discussions with European institutions and national governments regarding additional financial support to facilitate the return.
Additionally, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed their support for the return of men of conscription age currently abroad. This initiative constitutes part of a state policy aimed at consolidating resources in the context of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.
