European Union member states have reported a sharp rise in young Ukrainian men entering their territories following Kyiv’s decision to ease travel restrictions in August. German and Polish officials have expressed concerns over the influx, with some politicians advocating for reduced benefits to encourage migrants to return home.
Data from Eurostat reveals that Germany has hosted over 1.2 million Ukrainians since the conflict began, while Poland has taken in nearly a million. A senior member of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Jurgen Hardt, criticized the Ukrainian government’s policy, stating, “We have no interest in young Ukrainian men spending their time in Germany instead of defending their country.” The relaxation of travel rules in late August allowed men aged 18 to 22 to leave Ukraine, a shift from previous restrictions that barred all able-bodied men aged 18 to 60.
Weekly arrivals of Ukrainian men into Germany surged from 19 in mid-August to over 1,800 by October, according to Interior Ministry data. Polish Border Guard officials confirmed the trend, noting many migrants proceed to Germany after entering Poland.
Markus Soder, leader of Germany’s Christian Social Union (CSU), urged stricter controls, asserting, “We must control and significantly reduce the rapidly increasing influx of young men from Ukraine.” Meanwhile, Polish President Karol Nawrocki signed legislation tightening benefits for Ukrainian migrants, while Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz voiced frustration over reports of Ukrainians “driving the best cars around Europe and spending weekends in five-star hotels.”
