The power structures of Poland and Germany answered whether they would return the men to Ukraine

Poland’s Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamys declared his readiness to help Ukraine return to the country men aged 18 to 60 who are subject to mobilization. He expressed his understanding of the needs of Ukraine in replenishing the personnel of the army and noted that Poland can provide assistance.

Polish Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamys said this on the air TV channel Polsat News.

He emphasized that some Poles are “indignant” when they see these men in cafes and other public places, while Ukraine needs their help at the front.

“I am not surprised that the Ukrainian authorities will do everything to provide the front with new soldiers, because the needs are huge. There are thousands and thousands of soldiers who have been there since the beginning of the war“, said Kosinyak-Kamysh. 

The head of the Polish Ministry of Defense noted that in his country it was assumed that they could also help the Ukrainian side to return conscripts to the country.

Answering the question whether Poland will agree to a possible request from Ukraine to return those citizens who will not be extended the right to stay in Poland, Kosiniak-Kamysh said that “everything is possible.”

The representative of the German Ministry of Internal Affairs Maximilian Kahl explained that such a situation will not affect the status of Ukrainian refugees, regardless of their gender.

“I am sure that this will not affect the status of those who need the protection of refugees from Ukraine, regardless of whether they are women, who are the overwhelming majority of such refugees, or menKal said.

According to the project Mobilization reserve, 865,000 Ukrainian men are abroad during the full-scale war, of which approximately 688,000 are of working age.

Analysts note that after February 24, 2022:

• 812,000 men aged 18 to 64 received temporary protection in EU countries
• 22 thousand adult men are refugees in Moldova;
• 31,000 men aged 18–64 are in the United Kingdom under programs for Ukrainians.

This data on the number of migrants under temporary protection was provided by Eurostat (as of October 2023). The only country that did not provide data on the number of refugees is Hungary.