Ukraine has initiated negotiations with the European Union to obtain data on its citizens who are under temporary protection. Kyiv is primarily interested in information on the most vulnerable categories of the population. This is necessary for strategic planning of the return policy and preparation of Ukrainian communities for receiving people.
During the meeting between the Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine Denys Ulyutin and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, the prospects of the temporary protection regime, which expires in March 2027, were discussed.
The head of the ministry emphasized that the return process should be exclusively voluntary, and by that time citizens should have clear legal grounds for staying in EU countries.
The minister is convinced that the decision to leave for Ukraine will be made on the basis of a comparison of living conditions. A combination of factors will play an important role: from the level of security to access to the labor market, educational services, medicine and housing. According to preliminary estimates by the relevant agency, after the end of active hostilities, about two million people may return to the country.
At the same time, the expert community gives more restrained forecasts. In particular, the Mykhailo Ptukha Institute of Demography and Social Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine suggests that only a third of refugees may return.
Experts note that the high level of employment of Ukrainian women abroad indicates their gradual integration into foreign societies.
As of the spring of 2026, about 4.4 million Ukrainians live in the countries of the European Union, as well as in Norway and Switzerland. The largest number of citizens is concentrated in Germany and Poland. The further dynamics of migration processes will largely depend on the duration of military operations and the effectiveness of state recovery programs.
