Will Ukrainian refugees return from abroad? Libanova named three factors.

Director of the Institute of Demography and Social Quality Problems, Ella Libanova, stated that the most important factors for Ukrainians to return from abroad are safety, work, and housing. She made this statement as part of the public initiative project 'Needle' 'Bridges of Ukraine'.

According to Libanova, safety is a decisive factor that is evaluated not only for today but also for the future. Many people believe that even if a peace agreement is signed, it does not guarantee safety forever, so many people who are currently abroad have learned to adapt there and are staying there less and less.

Ella Libanova emphasized that safety is the main factor for the return of Ukrainians home. She also noted that work and housing in Ukraine are also important factors for return.

Regarding trust in the government, Libanova mentioned that this issue is not widely discussed, but without restoring or even creating trust, Ukrainians will not want to return. She expressed the opinion that the Ministry of National Unity was established precisely for this problem.

Libanova also highlighted the importance of creating special hubs for Ukrainians abroad to restore trust in the government. She mentioned a meeting with Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, who spoke about creating such hubs to provide services to Ukrainians abroad.

Libanova noted that these hubs are an important step, but insufficient for fully engaging Ukrainians to return. She also pointed out that civil society can play an important role in restoring trust.

Research fellow of the Institute of Demography and Social Studies, Oleksiy Poznyak, reported that about 6.5 million Ukrainians left for abroad since the beginning of the conflict with Russia. He believes that returning these people is much simpler than returning labor migrants.

Ukrainian Minister of National Unity, Oleksiy Chernyshov, previously stated that Ukraine is ready to offer jobs in defense enterprises for Ukrainians currently abroad who want to return home.