Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski recently called on European countries to stop providing welfare benefits to eligible Ukrainian men living within Europe during his visit to Kiev. This move may help Ukraine in recruiting more troops to combat the Russian military.
Sikorski also stated after meeting with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister that discontinuing social welfare for Ukrainian male refugees would also be beneficial for the national finances of European host countries.
According to data from the European Union’s statistical office, as of July this year, over 4.1 million Ukrainians in EU countries hold temporary protected status, with approximately 22% being adult males.
During an international leaders’ conference held in Kiev, Sikorski emphasized, “There should no longer be social security payments for those eligible to join the Ukrainian military. There should not be economic measures incentivizing Ukrainians to evade conscription.”
He added, “Evading conscription, not defending your country, and instead being rewarded is not a protection of human rights. We, the Polish people, will not do that.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed Sikorski’s appeal, stating, “Indeed, it is time to propose a plan for the EU to facilitate Ukrainians returning to their homeland. Of course, appropriate conditions should be created for this, but this issue should be put on the agenda. I support Minister Sikorski’s idea.”
The conflict with Russia has been ongoing for nearly 31 months, with Moscow’s forces slowly but steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine. Kiev requires more soldiers to maintain defensive lines, rotate tired units, and compensate for casualties.
In comparison, Russia holds a clear advantage in terms of troops and weaponry on the battlefield.
Earlier this year, Ukraine passed new legislation and took other measures, including lowering the conscription age for combat service from 27 to 25 years old to expedite enlistment.
Under the new law, Kiev has mandated that Ukrainian males living abroad update their conscription information online and encourages them to return to Ukraine to participate in combat.
Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has enforced martial law, prohibiting males aged 18 to 60 from traveling abroad without special permission and initiating a rolling mobilization of civilian men, incorporating them into the armed forces.
However, reports have indicated corruption in the conscription system, with some men bribing their way out of military service, granting many eligible men the opportunity to evade conscription by fleeing abroad.
(This article references reporting from Reuters)