Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Szykorski said on Saturday that ending welfare benefits for Ukrainian male refugees would also benefit public finances in host countries in Western Europe, reports "Reuters".
He made the statement after a meeting in Kiev with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sibyga.
European governments should stop welfare benefits for Ukrainian men of military age living in their countries, Poland's foreign minister said. It's a measure he says will help Ukraine raise more troops to fight Russian forces.
"Stop paying these social security benefits for people who are eligible for Ukrainian military service. There should be no financial incentives to avoid military service in Ukraine, Sikorsky told a conference of international leaders in Kiev. It is not a human right to be paid to avoid military service instead of defending your country. We in Poland don't do it."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha welcomed Shikorsky's call.
"It is time to really raise the issue of the EU developing programs to return Ukrainians home. Of course, suitable conditions must be created for this. But it should be on the agenda. I also support Minister Shikorski's idea," Sibiga said.
More than 4.1 million Ukrainians had temporary protection status in European Union (EU) countries as of July this year, and about 22% of them were adult males, according to data from the EU statistical office Eurostat.< /p>
Earlier this year, Ukraine passed new legislation and implemented other measures, including lowering the conscription age to 25 from 27, to increase the rate of military mobilization.
Under the new law, Kiev ordered Ukrainian men living abroad to renew their military conscription information online and encouraged them to return to Ukraine and join the fight.
Nearly 31 months into the war against Russia, and with Moscow's forces slowly but steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine, Kiev needs more troops to maintain its defensive lines, withdraw depleted troops and cover losses.< /p>
Russia has a significant advantage in personnel and weapons on the battlefield.