In the fourth year of a full-scale war, the Ukrainian government is moving from declarations to concrete steps aimed at the return of those citizens who went abroad. The priority is to create conditions for voluntary return: access to work and the opportunity to live in Ukraine without the risk of mobilization. One of the ways is to offer employment at enterprises that have reservation status, that is, they do not provide for conscription. This is especially important for men who do not return precisely because of the fear of mobilization. Some state-owned companies, in particular defense companies, have already started implementing programs aimed at the labor reintegration of Ukrainians abroad.
The program “Return of Ukrainians” in Poland
Joint-stock company “Ukrainian defense industry” (JSC “UOP”) officially announced about the start of the “Return of Ukrainians” program, which is currently implemented on the territory of Poland. The company’s message states that this initiative was created to provide an opportunity for those citizens of Ukraine who left after February 24, 2022, to return home and get an official job in the defense sector. Ukroboronprom admits that during the war many people tried to find a new place and new opportunities abroad. But, as the company emphasizes, not everyone managed to realize it – some of the forced migrants are in search of stability, decent work, social security.
The concern emphasizes that among those currently living in other countries, there are many specialists who have technical, engineering or managerial qualifications. And this knowledge and experience are extremely in demand at Ukrainian defense enterprises, which are actively working in new military conditions. It is for such people that the “Return of Ukrainians” program was created, which, according to the initiators, will allow combining the interests of the state and individual citizens: on the one hand, to strengthen the country’s defense industry, and on the other hand, to give a person a real job with a full-fledged social package, a stable salary and the possibility of professional growth.
Andrii Vereshchaka, director of the personnel management department of JSC “UOP”, said that the company had conducted large-scale preparations for the launch of the program. It included organizational changes at the enterprises themselves, establishing direct contacts with leaders of Ukrainian communities in Poland, cooperation with public and volunteer organizations, as well as with the Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine and the Embassy of Ukraine in Warsaw. According to him, the goal of the initiative is not just to find workers, but to create decent conditions for them to return and make it clear that they are waiting for them in Ukraine, their qualifications are really important, and their contribution is valuable.
Currently, interviews with those willing to return are held directly at the representative office of JSC “UOP” in Poland. However, the company is already working on expanding the format: it is planned to introduce online interviews to reach those people who live not only in Poland, but also in other European countries.
State policy of returning refugees
This initiative by the defense company is part of a broader government strategy. Back in December 2024, the Ukrainian government decided to create a new central body of executive power — the Ministry of National Unity. This ministry should coordinate all measures aimed at supporting Ukrainians abroad, preserving national identity and creating mechanisms for voluntary return to the Motherland.
In March 2025, the government allocated over 150 million hryvnias for the implementation of the first program of this ministry, the purpose of which is the return of Ukrainian citizens from abroad. Minister of National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov emphasized separately: there will be no coercion. The state does not set itself the task of forcing someone to return. Instead, we are talking about the creation of “Unity Hubs” – special centers abroad, which should ensure communication with the diaspora, support the cultural, informational and legal presence of Ukraine outside the country. In addition, the hubs should be places where practical information and support can be obtained for those considering returning.
Another tool of this policy was the online platform “Ukraine is Home”, created jointly with the UN. This resource is designed for Ukrainians who have already decided to return, or are only considering such a possibility. The site contains information on logistics, settlement options, work options, social services, and adaptation recommendations.
The scale of the problem: millions of Ukrainians abroad
According to the UN, as of February 2025, there were more than 6.3 million Ukrainian citizens on the territory of the European Union who left after the start of the full-scale invasion. About 560,000 more lived outside of Europe — in particular, in Canada, the USA, Great Britain, Australia and other countries. All these people are a potential personnel and social resource for the post-war reconstruction of the state.
However, the return of some of them requires not only patriotic appeals. People should see the real reasons for such a decision: security guarantees, stable work, adequate living conditions, the possibility of sending children to schools, having access to medicine, not losing the rights obtained abroad. That is why the state is betting on a comprehensive approach: through ministries, online resources, local business initiatives and, above all, through the creation of specific offers, such as employment in the defense industry.
