German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Ukraine should ensure that young men stay in the country and do their military service so that they do not leave for the European Union.
He said this during a press conference following a meeting of the so-called "Coalition of the Willing", addressing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ntv reports.
"Ukraine must guarantee this so that young people do not leave for Germany, Poland or France," Merz emphasized.
According to the chancellor, Germany has seen a noticeable increase in the number of young Ukrainian citizens after Kyiv allowed men aged 18 to 22 to leave. He noted that he had personally raised this issue in conversations with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling for military service to be carried out inside Ukraine.
Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion, traveling abroad has been banned for Ukrainian men of military age between 18 and 60. An exception for young people under the age of 22 was introduced in August 2024.
Against the backdrop of the rule changes, German media reported a sharp increase in the number of applications for protection from Ukrainian citizens. In particular, the Bild newspaper wrote that Germany receives about 1,000 such applications every week, while previously the number was about 100. This, according to the newspaper, has intensified discussions in the German government about a possible revision of migration policy and temporary protection mechanisms.
Meanwhile, Merz is ready to send troops to NATO countries bordering Ukraine.
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