Half of Ukrainian refugees want to return home, according to the Council of Europe
The Ukrainian refugee population abroad is currently split almost evenly regarding their plans for the future: some hope to return to Ukraine, while others plan to stay in the countries that have taken them in.
While sentiment among Ukrainians was more uncertain in 2022, the situation has now changed.
“As far as I recall, in 2022, about a third wanted to return home, a third wanted to stay in their host country, and a third were undecided. The latest data shows a roughly 50/50 split between those who want to return and those who want to stay,” O’Flaherty said.
He noted that the reasons Ukrainians decide to stay abroad are very diverse. Often, this is related to their children’s education, work, social connections, and integration into their new environment.
“I’ve met many mothers who say, ‘We have to stay because our children are in school, attending university, and we need to be here for them.’”
Others talk about how they’ve settled in and built connections. They’re starting families in the country that has taken them in. So it no longer makes sense to leave. This country has become their home,” the European Commissioner said.
At the same time, he emphasized that a significant portion of Ukrainian refugees still plan to return to their homeland once the war ends or the situation stabilizes.
“They love their country and want to participate in its reconstruction. And some older people simply want to spend their final years in a place they know and love.
So the reasons are very diverse,” O’Flaherty concluded.
According to the Council of Europe, the sentiments among Ukrainian refugees continue to shift depending on the security situation in Ukraine, their level of integration abroad, and their personal circumstances.
This was stated in an interview by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty.
As a reminder, the Danish government has announced its intention to change the rules for obtaining residence permits for Ukrainian refugees, particularly for men of draft age who have not been exempted from military service.
The lower house of the Czech Parliament will consider amendments to the rules on temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens this week. The initiative was put forward by the nationalist party “Freedom and Direct Democracy,” led by Tomio Okamura.
The Czech Foreign Minister met with the Ukrainian ambassador and plans to speak with Sybiga.
The Czech Foreign Minister plansto meet with the Ukrainian ambassador in response to Okamura’s statements.
