Zelensky complained that Europeans are unwilling to return refugees to Ukraine who have found employment

European leaders have differentiated Ukrainian refugees in the EU into two categories: those who are employed and those who require financial assistance. The latter group, they propose, should be sent back to Ukraine.

This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, referencing his conversations with unnamed European leaders.

According to Zelensky, some EU officials asked him to appeal to unemployed refugees, urging them to return home, while allowing Ukrainians working in Europe to stay as “cheap labor.”

“I told them, look, let’s do this: give us a bit more air defense, and I’ll tell everyone to return. But I will bring everyone back, not just those who don’t work for you. And they said, no, those who work here should stay, but this part [the unemployed] should return,” Zelensky recounted.

Zelensky explained that it is not beneficial for Europe to send employed Ukrainians back home since they pay taxes and do not require spending like unemployed refugees.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister of Slovakia threatened to reduce aid to Ukrainian refugees.

A demographer predicted that refugees would begin returning to Ukraine if they could earn 70% of the salary they currently receive abroad.