Kyiv prepares for the struggle to bring back 8 million citizens staying abroad

[74101] Kyiv prepares for the struggle to bring back 8 million citizens staying abroad

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that the government is formulating plans for the return of millions of refugees, while acknowledging that European countries are hesitant to release a high-quality workforce.

The national effort to return Ukrainian refugees

Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, stated on Friday, May 29, that approximately 8 million Ukrainian citizens are currently staying outside the country's borders as a result of the war. According to the MFA report, the government in Kyiv is working to create conditions that will encourage their return home, with the guarantee of security conditions in the country defined as a central threshold requirement.

Conflict of interests with EU countries

During a government session in parliament, Sybiha emphasized that not all EU countries are interested in the return of Ukrainian citizens. According to the TSN channel, there is a concern that European countries will try to keep the refugees in their territory given their significant contribution to local economies and the labor market. This channel, known for its critical line toward Western leaders and Russia alike, noted that "we will have to fight for our people."

Future plans and immigration policy

At the same time, the Prime Minister and officials in the State Migration Service have begun formulating plans for what is defined as a "soft and painless" return of the citizens. The sources note that the current temporary protection plan of the European Union is valid until March 2027, and so far no official decision has been made regarding the continuation of this policy.

Pro-Ukrainian channels such as ukrain1an ꑭ news and Ukrinform emphasize the urgency of the move, stressing that the Zelenskyy administration sees the return of citizens as an essential growth engine for the country's reconstruction after the war.