Influential German politician speaks out in favor of deporting Ukrainian refugees home to protect their homeland

Germany should consider the possibility of returning able-bodied Ukrainians to their homeland so that they can help ensure security in their country.

This was stated by the Prime Minister of Bavaria and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), Markus Söder, in an interview with the Rheinische Post.

"Peace is not in sight at the moment. Therefore, it is quite legitimate to consider the possibility of returning able-bodied Ukrainians to their homeland to ensure security in their own country," the politician said.

At the same time, he opposed Germany sending its military to Ukraine, saying that russia would not agree to this.

"I find it hard to imagine the deployment of NATO troops there (in Ukraine, - ed.). Russia would never agree to this. This would be a harbinger of Ukraine's accession to NATO. In addition, the Bundeswehr is not ready for this. It is overloaded to the limit, both financially and in terms of personnel," Söder said.

He also criticized the existing system of state social assistance in Germany, due to which, according to him, there is a "significantly lower share of employed Ukrainians compared to other European countries."

"This needs to be changed urgently - and not only for newly arrived Ukrainians," the politician stressed.