Full Breakdown
Germany and Ukraine Forge Working Group to Return Ukrainian Men of Military Age Amid EU Refugee Policy Shift
7/4/2026, 2:18:36 PM
Joint Working Group on Return of Ukrainian Men
Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Oleksiy Makeev, confirmed that Kyiv and Berlin have created a bilateral working group to discuss “mechanisms for the return of Ukrainian men of mobilization age who illegally left the country.” The group exchanges information between Ukrainian and German agencies and explores both voluntary-return pathways and possible enforcement measures. Details of the mechanisms remain undisclosed.
Policy Context: EU Temporary Protection Reforms
In April 2027 the European Commission proposed extending the emergency temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2028 while excluding newly arriving Ukrainian men of military age from automatic protection. Those men would retain the right to apply for standard asylum. The proposal follows a year-long discussion within the EU on shifting from temporary protection to “sustainable return and reintegration in Ukraine when conditions allow.”
Key Actors and Stakeholders
- Oleksiy Makeev – Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany.
- Magnus Brunner – EU Migration Commissioner.
- Friedrich Merz – German Chancellor, who announced limits on asylum for Ukrainian men.
- Oksana Diakun – Deputy Head of Ukraine’s Mission to the EU.
- Michael O’Flaherty – Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, critic of the blanket exclusion.
- Péter Magyar – Prime Minister of Hungary, opposing the restriction.
- Denmark – Member state introducing its own legislation to end temporary protection for men aged 23-60.
Scale of Ukrainian Presence in Germany and the EU
- Germany hosts approximately 1.3 million Ukrainian refugees, including about 356 000 men aged 18-63 (source 3) or 1.35 million total refugees (source 3).
- The EU as a whole shelters over 4 million Ukrainians (source 1) and 4.33 million under temporary protection (source 4).
- Employment among Ukrainians in Germany is rising, with increasing tax contributions, though integration metrics lag behind those of Poland.
Official Statements & Responses
Makeev emphasized that “professionally trained Ukrainians can be counted on during the reconstruction of Ukraine” and highlighted the role of Unity Hubs—centres that inform diaspora members about opportunities back home and facilitate voluntary returns. Brunner announced a “voluntary return and recovery pilot program” to support those wishing to return now and to prepare for future returns, citing Unity Hubs as a key component. Merz reiterated Germany’s intent to limit asylum for Ukrainian men and to cooperate with Kyiv on return mechanisms. Diakun warned that “without recovering our human capital, it will be difficult to achieve this goal of Ukraine in the EU.”
Criticism, Opposition, and Divergent Member State Positions
Human-rights commissioner Michael O’Flaherty warned that blanket exclusion of military-age men could overlook scenarios where protection remains necessary. Hungary’s Prime Minister Péter Magyar declared that Budapest will continue granting refugee status to Ukrainian arrivals, especially ethnic Hungarians, regardless of EU-level changes. France also voiced opposition to narrowing the protection scheme. Conversely, Denmark has moved ahead with legislation to end temporary protection for men aged 23-60, effective for applications submitted after 25 June 2026.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of Ukrainian refugees in Germany (1.3 million vs. 1.35 million) and on the EU-wide total (over 4 million vs. 4.33 million). No source provides concrete details on the legal or procedural steps of the proposed return mechanisms, leaving a gap in public understanding of enforcement or support measures.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I will not reveal these mechanisms yet,” — Oleksiy Makeev, Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany
- “Today we are also launching a voluntary return and recovery pilot program to support those who wish to return today and also to prepare for supporting returns once the situation allows for it,” — Magnus Brunner, EU Migration Commissioner
- “It is in our interest and in the interest of Germany to ensure that professionally trained Ukrainians can be relied upon during the reconstruction of Ukraine.” — Oleksiy Makeev
- “without recovering our human capital, it will be difficult to achieve this goal of Ukraine in the EU.” — Oksana Diakun, Deputy Head of Mission to the EU
What’s Next: Pilot Program and Future Returns
The EU plans to roll out the voluntary return and recovery pilot in the coming months, with Unity Hubs in Germany and other member states serving as coordination points. Germany’s working group will continue to refine the undisclosed mechanisms, while member states negotiate the broader EU proposal on temporary protection. The outcome will shape the scale and timing of Ukrainian men’s return and their potential role in post-war reconstruction.
