Not all Ukrainians abroad can be evaluated equally - Zelenskyy on men who left country during war

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he does not have a uniform opinion about Ukrainians who went abroad during the war. He believes that the return of men of mobilization age has helped and reduced the burden on the Armed Forces. In particular, the military could have more rotations and vacations.

The Head of State said this in an interview with Český rozhlas Plus.

In response to a question about the millions of people who evade mobilization, Zelenskyy said that the war in Ukraine has been going on since 2014, and since then, its perception among people has been different. According to him, some considered the war a problem only for those who are fighting, but after the full-scale invasion of russia, many have rethought their position.

"Absolutely different people left: someone fled the war, someone left in the early days, and someone left over time, someone was a draft dodger, and someone lost their family here and no longer wanted to live with it. It was very difficult psychologically. We have to understand that the war brought us grief. We cannot treat everyone equally during this war. This war brought grief to all people. But people who lost their loved ones, relatives, they cannot be compared to anyone," Zelenskyy said.

He added that it is thanks to the millions of citizens who remained in the country that Ukraine has survived as a state, so there is "a sense of respect for those who are in Ukraine and have preserved it."

"But I am sympathetic to some people who, for obvious reasons, are not here today," the President said.

Speaking about the return of men from abroad, Zelenskyy said that the issue is not only about freedom of choice, but also about the opportunity to help those who are on the front line.

"And it would be very fair. For the military to have a vacation and the opportunity to see their families, just to relax. Returning to the arms of your family gives you energy. And I think that such guys who have left could definitely help," the head of state said.

At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized that there should be trust between people at the front. In his opinion, it is important for the military to know who is next to them in their position, because their lives depend on it. Therefore, he said, the forced return of men from abroad does not guarantee the strengthening of the army.

"A person trusts the one who is next to them. And he knows that if one, two, three people let him down here, or they run away, he can die. That's why it's not just the number of people that's important, but understanding what they're doing at the front. And that's why they sometimes say that the one who escaped should be picked up and sent to the front.

I understand these emotions, we all have them, but we need to ask the guy who is at the frontline, "Can he trust this person or not?" I mean, this is a question that cannot be answered easily, because there are different people and different reasons. I believe that there are young people who could be here and help Ukraine and the army. And our internal communication may not reach them. But it is very important that everyone wants this," Zelenskyy said.

He also cited examples of people who first left, took their families with them, and later returned to Ukraine and went to serve. However, according to him, not everyone can be "reached."

"I invite people to come back, but how will it work? If a person fled from the war... But, of course, the more of our young people who went abroad, who are physically capable and of mobilization age, would return here, the easier it would be for our army, our people and Ukraine," Zelenskyy summed up.

To request a correction, please send an email.