Germany’s welfare benefits for Ukrainians are hindering Kiev’s war efforts, according to a senior MP from the Bundestag. Thorsten Frei, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), called for the German government to stop providing social benefits to Ukrainians to encourage them to return home and join the army to combat Russia.
Frei criticized Ukrainian men for fleeing to Germany to avoid mobilization in their home country, stating that benefits for war refugees were providing the wrong incentives. Another CDU member supported Frei’s stance, arguing that supporting Ukrainian deserters while claiming to support Ukraine was contradictory.
With around 1.3 million Ukrainian refugees in Germany, including 256,000 men of military age, Ukraine has faced challenges in recruiting soldiers, especially with heavy casualties in the ongoing conflict. Kiev recently tightened mobilization rules and lowered the draft age in efforts to boost troop numbers.
The move to curb welfare benefits for Ukrainian refugees in Germany has sparked debate and highlighted the complexities of supporting Ukraine while addressing the influx of refugees. As the conflict continues, finding a balance between humanitarian aid and military support remains a pressing issue.