The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, says he opposes sending fit‑bodied Ukrainian men back to their homeland.
During a Tuesday interview with RTL and ntv, he noted that there are no legal grounds or mechanisms to facilitate such a return. According to Makeiev, most Ukrainian men in Germany have left their country legally and therefore have committed no crime.

He pointed out that the discussion in Germany should also consider what would happen in wartime: “What will the German men of military age do?” He acknowledged that Ukraine is short on soldiers, making mobilisation a crucial subject.

Makeiev added that more than one million Ukrainians seeking protection in Germany are well integrated. Over 300 000 of them work and contribute to social security, a point he emphasized as very important.