Poland’s Foreign Minister has suggested that European governments should discontinue welfare benefits for Ukrainian men of military age residing in their countries. He argued that this action would assist Ukraine in mobilizing additional troops to combat Russian forces.

Following discussions in Kyiv with his Ukrainian counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski stated that terminating social benefits for Ukrainian male refugees would also positively impact the financial situation of host countries in Western Europe. As of July this year, over 4.1 million Ukrainians held temporary protection status in European Union nations, with approximately 22% being adult males, according to Eurostat data.

Sikorski emphasized at an international leaders’ conference in Kyiv, “Cease the social security payments for individuals eligible for the Ukrainian draft. There should be no financial incentives for evading the draft in Ukraine.” He further asserted, “It is not a human right to receive payments to avoid military service in defense of one’s country. We do not practice this in Poland.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed his support for Sikorski’s proposal, stating, “It is indeed time to consider the European Union developing initiatives to facilitate the return of Ukrainians to their homeland. Appropriate conditions must be established for this, and I endorse Minister Sikorski’s idea.”

As the conflict with Russia continues for nearly 31 months, and with Russian forces gradually advancing in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv requires additional soldiers to sustain its defense, rotate fatigued troops, and compensate for losses.

Russia currently holds a considerable advantage in personnel and weaponry on the battlefield. Earlier this year, Ukraine enacted new legislation and introduced measures to expedite military mobilization, including reducing the call-up age for combat duty from 27 to 25.

Under this new law, Ukrainian men living abroad are required to update their military draft information online and are encouraged to return to Ukraine to participate in the fight. Ukraine has also imposed martial law.