Millions of Ukrainians under the government's microscope. Ukraine wants them to return to their country
The Ukrainian government wants Ukrainians to slowly return to the country after they left it because of the war. Therefore, it will try to obtain access to their data – this especially applies to “sensitive” groups of society, i.e. those that are coping worse than others. It's about developing an appropriate “return policy” and preparing people for it. The Ukrainian Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, Denis Uliutin, met with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, on this matter. They discussed, among others: the issue of the likely end of the protection period for Ukrainians in March next year.
See also: Tougher rules for migrants and more deportations. This is how the EU is to “restore order at home”
Ukrainian minister: we want Ukrainians to return home
Minister Uliutin emphasized that “it is important for Ukraine to avoid legal uncertainty and fragmentation of approaches towards Ukrainians who are forced to stay in European Union countries due to the war.”
“Our position is clear: we want Ukrainians to return home, but it must be a voluntary and conscious decision,” says the ministry's statement.
As the Unian agency reminds, as of March 2026, 4.3 million Ukrainians had temporary protection in European Union member states. The protection is scheduled to expire in March 2027. However, discussions are ongoing among EU countries and the European Commission on whether to extend this regulation for another year.
See also: EU aid for Ukraine is at risk. The payment of EUR 90 billion will depend on reforms
In total, over 6 million people left Ukraine after the Russian invasion. Some of them returned to the country over time. The main destinations for refugees were Poland and Germany
During the meeting with Brunner, Uliutin also raised the issue of legal migration and integration of citizens in the labor market, as well as the need to preserve Ukraine's human capital for the future reconstruction of the state.
