When it comes to encouraging Ukrainians to return from abroad, it is important to find the right tools and foster interaction, states the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, during a press conference dedicated to the upcoming 4th Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen.
As Kuleba noted, in the matter of encouraging Ukrainians to return to their homeland, it is necessary to find the right words, tools, and foster interaction. At the same time,it is important not to "push too hard."
He added that the governments of other countries, where the largest number of Ukrainians currently reside, are satisfied that our citizens live, work, and adapt in their societies. However, they also wish to help Kyiv bring their compatriots back home.
"These governments themselves are in a very narrow space for maneuvering because you cannot do this forcibly. And the same applies to us," Kuleba noted.
According to the minister, among Ukrainians abroad, there are also those who have nowhere to return to, or who cannot do so due to illness or the need to care for relatives.
"I think if we set this group aside, for the rest of the Ukrainians who are now abroad, all of us present in this room, those who are attending university sessions today, going to work in the fields, factories, and businesses, are living proof that it is possible to live, develop, and raise children in Ukraine," he stated.
Return of men liable for military service to Ukraine
After the onset of the full-scale invasion, thousands of Ukrainians left their homes and moved to European Union (EU) countries. Currently, the largest number of refugees reside in Poland, Germany, and Czechia.
As Kuleba previously stated, the issue of returning men liable for military service to Ukraine is fundamentally about justice.
This issue has also been commented on by officials from Ukraine's allied countries. For example, the head of the Ministry of Defense of Poland, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, indicated that Warsaw might assist Kyiv. Similarly, his Lithuanian counterpart, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, mentioned a similar step.
