Key facts
- Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt supports a European Commission proposal to potentially revoke temporary protection status for Ukrainian men aged 23-60.
- Ukraine's ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, confirmed discussions with Berlin on encouraging Ukrainian men to return home.
- The proposal could be implemented across the EU if requested by the Ukrainian government.
- As of May 31, 265,804 Ukrainian men aged 23-60 were living in Germany.
- Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) stated asylum claims will be assessed individually, considering reasons for seeking protection and risks upon return.
- BAMF noted that protection is granted only if an individual demonstrates a well-founded fear of persecution, such as for refusing to participate in an unlawful armed conflict.
Germany is considering a European Commission proposal that could lead to Ukrainian men of military age losing their temporary protection status, a move supported by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. Discussions are underway between Berlin and Kyiv to encourage these men to return to Ukraine. Ukraine's ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, indicated that specific mechanisms for this are being explored, though he declined to reveal details.
Currently, over 1.3 million Ukrainians reside in Germany, with a significant portion being men aged 23-60. The proposal suggests that if Ukraine requests it, automatic temporary protection could be revoked for this demographic across the European Union. The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) clarified that any asylum claims would be evaluated on an individual basis, adhering to the Geneva Refugee Convention and the EU Qualification Directive, particularly for deserters or conscientious objectors who may have a well-founded fear of persecution.
Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had publicly stated that Ukrainian men were needed in their home country, including for military service. Some within his party have also suggested that these men should not be eligible for Germany's basic income support. Data from January 2024 indicated that approximately 132,000 Ukrainian men aged 18-59 were receiving social benefits in Germany.