Ukraine and Germany Launch Joint Initiative to Repatriate 350,000 Draft-Eligible Men.

Bilateral Task Force Aims to Bring Back Ukrainian Men of Conscription Age

According to Novyny.live: Germany and Ukraine have established a cross-agency task force designed to facilitate the return of Ukrainian men of military service age who left the country illegally. Currently, over 350,000 Ukrainian men eligible for conscription reside in Germany, representing a large portion of the 1.348 million Ukrainian refugees who have sought shelter on German soil.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stressed the urgency of bringing younger Ukrainians back, highlighting their critical role in the nation's reconstruction. At the same time, newly arriving military-age men will be ineligible for temporary protection status, further complicating their situation. The EU's Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians remains in effect until March 4, 2028, offering certain guarantees to those who have already secured this status.

Phased Coordination Process for Returns

The repatriation coordination process is currently being discussed in two main stages within the task force. Ukraine's representative, Oleksiy Makeyev, commented:

“I will not disclose these mechanisms just yet. They are currently being discussed as part of this working group’s efforts.” - Oleksiy Makeyev

He also underscored that returning men of mobilization age serves the interests of both nations: “It is in our interest and in Germany’s interest to ensure that properly trained Ukrainians can be counted on during the rebuilding of Ukraine.”

As a result, the creation of this joint interagency task force between Ukraine and Germany marks a significant step in addressing the issue of bringing back draft-age Ukrainians now living abroad.

This move reflects the deepening cooperation between Ukraine and Germany amid the ongoing war, as the return of conscription-eligible men could have a major impact on the country’s post-conflict recovery. Germany's role is also pivotal, as it seeks to support Ukraine by facilitating the return of skilled professionals who can contribute meaningfully to economic reconstruction. The task force is expected to develop effective mechanisms for repatriation and to resolve the legal status of these individuals in Germany.