Polish Foreign Minister Visits Kiev, Calls for End to Benefits for Ukrainian Men in Europe

After meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart in Kiev, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said ending social benefits for Ukrainian male refugees would benefit the finances of Western European countries hosting them.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Photo: Reuters

According to Eurostat statistics, as of July this year, more than 4.1 million Ukrainians had been granted temporary protection in European Union (EU) countries, of which about 22% were adult men.

“Stop paying social benefits to those eligible for military service in Ukraine. There should be no financial incentive to avoid military service in Ukraine,” Sikorski told an international conference in Kiev. “Being paid to avoid military service is not a human right. In Poland, we do not do that.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed Sikorski's proposal. "It is time for the European Union to develop programs for the return of Ukrainians. Of course, the right conditions need to be created for this. But this should be on the agenda, and I support Foreign Minister Sikorski's idea," he said.

Nearly 31 months after the outbreak of hostilities with Russia, Ukraine needs more troops to maintain its defenses, replace exhausted soldiers and make up for losses. Russia has a huge advantage in manpower and weapons on the battlefield compared to Ukraine.

Earlier this year, Ukraine passed new laws and took steps to speed up its military mobilization. Under the law, the Ukrainian government requires Ukrainian men abroad to update their military service information online and encourages them to return to join the fight.

After the conflict with Russia in February 2022, Ukraine imposed martial law, banned men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country without special permission, and began mobilizing its civilian population. However, many people still left Ukraine to avoid military service. There have been reports of corruption in the military recruitment system, allowing some to bribe their way out of service.

Cao Phong (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ngoai-truong-ba-lan-tham-kiev-keu-goi-cham-dut-phuc-loi-cho-nam-gioi-ukraine-o-chau-au-post312539.html