Kyiv will not force Ukrainian refugees to come back home — but it hopes they will
As Russia’s war against Ukraine drags on into its fourth year, many Ukrainian refugees have integrated and settled in Europe. Kyiv is seeking ways to motivate them to return home.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/06/05/kyiv-will-not-force-ukrainian-refugees-to-come-back-home-but-it-hopes-they-will
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00:00The European Union is extending the temporary protection granted to Ukrainian refugees until March 2027,
00:09as Kyiv is also looking for a way to motivate Ukrainians to come back home.
00:14Newly created Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine is tasked with keeping close ties with people abroad and finding the way to bring them back.
00:23This brings from now more than 20 months of clarity for Ukrainians here in the European Union to plan their life and to plan their future return to Ukraine once the conditions will allow that.
00:42For some, peace and stable peace is a priority.
00:49For others, it is also needed the economic development, job market, better employment, new jobs, economic breakthrough.
01:01For others, European integration.
01:03But if we go this way, most of Ukrainians will seriously consider relocating back to Ukraine.
01:10Until then, Alexei Chernyshev says, they have been contributing to the EU's economy and labor market.
01:20I think the contribution to European Union countries is very strong.
01:24I think Ukrainians in Europe is a very strong asset to a labor market.
01:31They are professional, they are hardworking, they are intelligent, they are educated.
01:36And obviously, the labor markets will compete between each other.
01:41Ukraine and the EU also agreed an appointment of a special envoy to oversee the transition, integration and return at the political level.
01:49We are having a big support from European Commission on inviting, setting up a special envoy role for Ukraine.
02:01And we will also develop the Unity Hub program throughout the European countries.
02:07I'm sure it will develop the possibilities for Ukrainians to consider serious return home, again, conditionally on the stable peace.
02:15An estimated 4.3 million Ukrainians left their country and relocated across the EU.
02:21And while Ukraine really hopes people will come back as soon as they can,
02:25Chernyshev admits that it is getting more difficult as Russia's invasion of Ukraine drags on.
02:30Kiev hopes people will return, but it will not force them to.
02:34We cannot force anybody to come back. This is impossible.
02:39The only motivation to go back to Ukraine is successful Ukraine.
02:43And your love to your homeland.
02:46These are the only two factors that make Ukrainians go back and consider this decision seriously.
02:54No forceful actions can be provided and will be provided.
