The Minister President of Saxony‑Anhalt, Sven Schulze of the CDU, has called for Ukrainian men to be conscripted into service in their own country and for working‑age Ukrainians to leave the Federal Republic to do so.
Schulze told the German newspaper “Die Welt” that Germany – and by extension Saxony‑Anhalt – will continue to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself against Russia, but that this support comes with clear expectations. “Ukraine must ensure that its young men serve a secure and economically healthy nation rather than flee to Germany” he said. He described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision in August last year to loosen exit rules for 18‑ to 22‑year‑olds as a mistake that increased displacement numbers. Schulze added that the German federal government must press the Ukrainian authorities to reverse the policy.
The Minister President also stressed that the Kyiv government should, in its own interest, take all necessary steps to stop further working‑age men from leaving and to bring back those who have already departed. He highlighted that these men are needed to maintain Ukraine’s infrastructure and keep its people supplied. “As they return, they can serve as nurses in hospitals, electricians restoring the ravaged energy and heating networks, or workers rebuilding factories and damaged buildings” he said.
Schulze clarified that his proposal is not about sending more soldiers to the front. “Sending young Ukrainians from the safety of the Federal Republic to the war zone is not an option” he said. Instead, he insists that competent men must return home to support the health sector, restore essential services, and rebuild the country’s economy, thereby ensuring a stable everyday life for Ukrainians.