Germany Sees Rise in Draft-Age Ukrainian Men Arriving

Germany has seen a significant increase in the number of Ukrainian men of military age arriving in the country since the beginning of 2025.

According to Die Welt, men aged 18 to 63 accounted for nearly 60% of the approximately 100,000 Ukrainians who arrived in Germany over the past 16 months.

Analysts attribute the increase primarily to a change in Ukrainian regulations that allowed men aged 18 to 22 to travel abroad from August 2025.

The issue is also fuelling political debate in Germany and across the European Union. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has proposed ending automatic protection under the EU's Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians of conscription age.

Under the proposal, affected individuals would be required to submit individual asylum applications. Their chances of obtaining residency could be lower than under the current system.

According to the report, Dobrindt has secured support from several EU interior ministers. The European Commission is expected to present its position on the proposal by the end of June.

(mja)