The Netherlands is looking for ways to bring Ukrainian men of military age home
Date: 2024-09-20 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WORLD
The corresponding statement was made by Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof during a discussion of migration policy in parliament, answering questions from the leader of the Party for Freedom Geert Wilders.
Wilders is "concerned" that "tens of thousands" of Ukrainian men are in the Netherlands, while the Ukrainian government wants to return them to their homeland to defend the country or help with reconstruction.
"I think it is quite normal that when your country is at war, you help defend your own country," Wilders said.
The Dutch Prime Minister noted that during the conversation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was very "cautious" about the forced return of men liable for military service home. The Prime Minister believes that this is a "smart line", but Wilders was not satisfied with this answer.
"You can also introduce a policy to encourage them to return there," Wilders said.
The head of the Dutch government noted that he wants to think about this together with Ukraine. Schoof also added that Ukrainian refugees have the right to asylum, health care, work and education, as before.
Dutch media noted that as of last fall, more than 19,000 Ukrainian men of military age lived in the Netherlands. In total, about 39,000 men from Ukraine were registered. The number of women who found asylum in the Netherlands is 63,000.
Background
Recall that talks about returning Ukrainian men home began in Poland. The Polish authorities did not rule out the possibility of helping Ukraine in returning conscripts. The head of the Polish Foreign Ministry noted that Warsaw is waiting for initiatives from Ukraine.
The Czech Republic has stated that it will not forcibly return Ukrainian men.
The EU recently commented on the possibility of deporting men of mobilization age from the EU to Ukraine.
