Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba called on Ukrainians who left Ukraine during the Russian invasion to return and help defend the Motherland, reports “Ukrainian Pravda” with reference to an interview with The Irish Times.

The head of the Foreign Ministry thanked Ireland, which since the beginning of the full-scale invasion sheltered more than 100,000 Ukrainians and provided tens of millions of euros in humanitarian aid.

• “We respect each person’s individual choice, but we also call on all Ukrainians who have fled the country since the beginning of the large-scale invasion to consider returning home,” Kuleba added.
• “We understand that some people may not have such an opportunity due to their health or other personal circumstances. But we invite those who have a choice to return and help Ukraine fight and survive with their direct personal contribution,” he explained.

An estimated six million people have left Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, most of them to the European Union.

Last month, the media reported that Ukraine was in talks with EU officials to ensure that future EU rules on migration would help ensure that more Ukrainians return home next year to support the Ukrainian economy.

Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the EU Vsevolod Chentsov predicts that in 2025, when the temporary protection of Ukrainians in the EU expires, a struggle for Ukrainian citizens will begin between the member states and Kyiv.