Merz promised to help return men of conscription age to Ukraine

Germany will help facilitate the return to Ukraine of men of conscription age and work on restricting such individuals from seeking asylum in Germany.

This was stated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is visiting Berlin.

“We will cooperate closely on issues concerning Ukrainian citizens who have found refuge in our country, and we will make it easier for them to return home. We will work with Ukraine to limit the number of Ukrainian men seeking refuge here, because it is important that these men be there and help their country,” the chancellor said.

Zelensky supported Merz’s position.

“I agree with you regarding people of mobilization age who left temporarily but, as it turned out, stayed for years. Many violated the rules for crossing the border. Our Armed Forces would like them to return,” Zelensky said.

As a reminder, in winter, a member of Germany’s ruling coalition and of the Christian Social Union parliamentary group proposed sending Ukrainian men liable for military service back home. The CSU is part of a bloc with the larger CDU, the party represented by Chancellor Merz.

Soon afterward, German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said that throughout Europe there is support for Merz’s position that young Ukrainian men should not leave Ukraine, and that those who have left should return.