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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is counting on close coordination with Ukraine to help Ukrainian refugees in Germany return home.<\/p>\n
“We will coordinate closely to make it easier for Ukrainian citizens who have found refuge here to return to their homeland,” Merz said on Tuesday during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin.<\/p>\n
Merz said the German government would also support Kiev’s efforts to reduce the number of men of military age leaving Ukraine, noting that this is “in the interest of both sides.”<\/p>\n
Zelensky said many young people of conscription age had left the country in violation of Ukrainian laws. “Our responsible authorities or those of the respective countries must deal with this issue,” he said.<\/p>\n
The Ukrainian president referred to this as a matter of justice, as many soldiers on the front lines are waiting for relief. He said every Ukrainian citizen of conscription age who has the strength to do so has a constitutional duty to take responsibility.<\/p>\n
Since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, martial law and mobilization have been in force in Ukraine, meaning conscripted men are only allowed to leave in exceptional cases.<\/p>\n
Last year, Kiev made it possible for young men under 23 to leave the country again.<\/p>\n
Ukrainian Social Affairs Minister Denys Ulyutin recently estimated the number of young men between the ages of 18 and 23 who have left the country since August 2025 at around 400,000, based on EU data.<\/p>\n
Ulyutin said a new support centre in Berlin should help Ukrainian citizens with the return process, as well as with their lives in Germany, and help them to maintain connections with their homeland.<\/p>\n
The so-called Unity Hub – the first of its kind in Europe – is due to open to the public on Wednesday. Similar centres are planned for the Czech Republic and Sweden, Ulyutin said.<\/p>\n
Ukrainians can obtain identification documents or advice on the recognition of school and vocational qualifications at the Unity Hub. Those who wish to return to Ukraine can also receive help in finding work and housing, or support for starting businesses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n