Over half of Poles support returning draft-age Ukrainians to their country, according to the latest IBRiS survey for the Rzeczpospolita paper. Just under 51 percent of respondents think Poland should send back Ukrainian men of military age, while 39 percent are against and 10.3 percent are undecided.
Supporters of aiding the return of these individuals are primarily women (59 percent), people over 70 (64 percent), residents of small towns (63 percent), and those with basic education (65 percent). Conversely, those in opposition mainly consist of young adults aged 18-29 (88 percent), residents of medium-sized cities (55 percent), and those with higher education (45 percent), many of whom identify with right-wing views (49 percent).
The Ukrainian government recently decreed that men aged 18-60 can only obtain passports within Ukraine, encouraging their return for potential mobilization. As a result, consular offices have stopped issuing new identity documents, passports, and driver’s licenses. To extend document validity, Ukrainians must present a military registry certificate obtainable only in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized that being abroad does not exempt citizens from their duties to their country. He stated that protecting the rights and interests of Ukrainians abroad remains a priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but in the face of Russian aggression, the main priority is national defense.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski was asked if Ukraine expects Warsaw’s help in transporting draft-age Ukrainians back home. Sikorski responded that “Ukraine must take the initiative, as it is an ethically complex issue for us. However, we understand Ukraine needs its defenders to protect the homeland.”
