Hetmantsev: 5–7 million Ukrainians abroad should return home, not be replaced by migrants

People’s Deputy Daniil Hetmantsev has categorically opposed bringing in labor migrants to address Ukraine’s demographic crisis, stating that the government should focus on creating conditions for the return of its own citizens.

This was reported by Ukrainian Wall.

According to Hetmantsev, the demographic crisis cannot be solved through foreign labor. The focus must be placed exclusively on Ukrainians who wish to return to their homeland.

“The demographic crisis cannot be solved by attracting migrants. Ukrainians who want to return from abroad need to be provided with housing and jobs,” — the MP said.

By various estimates, between 5 and 7 million Ukrainians who left due to the war are currently abroad. Over the past year, around 1.7 million people have returned to the country, but this is not enough to compensate for population losses.

The head of the State Migration Service, Natalia Naumenko, previously refuted Russian disinformation about “population replacement” in Ukraine. According to her, the country has accepted fewer than 2,400 refugees since the start of the full-scale war. The State Migration Service acknowledges a need for skilled workers, but states that the priority is the return of its own citizens rather than mass labor migration from abroad.