The chief demographer warned Ukrainians about a new very dangerous line of national division.

The Director of the Institute of Demography and Social Problems, Ella Libanova, stated that Ukrainians who left the country due to the war may not return due to fear of stigma and marginalization. She urged to convince Ukrainians to come back home and to conduct explanatory work with those who stayed. Libanova also warned about the possibility of a split in society due to the confrontation between those who left and those who remained, especially during hybrid warfare.

According to Libanova, many people are afraid to return due to stigma and marginalization, so she called for avoiding confrontation among Ukrainians abroad and those who stayed in Ukraine. Uncertainty about the future is another factor that delays the return home. Libanova advises Ukrainians to outline prospects and explain that after the war there is confirmation of investment growth, job creation, and decent wages in Ukraine.

Libanova recommends restoring remote work if possible. She also emphasizes the importance of communication and trust and suggests reconnecting at all levels so that a person feels that they have not been forgotten and that they are not cut off from their roots.

A pilot project for the return of Ukrainians from abroad

At the beginning of the year, a pilot project is planned to be launched to help return Ukrainians who are abroad, particularly in Germany. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also held a meeting where economic and social incentives for Ukrainians to work in Ukraine were discussed.