Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that draft-age men who left the country must be in Ukraine. The statement was made on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during a joint briefing with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin. The head of state emphasized that he would like to see such citizens in their homeland, while acknowledging that the issue of return is "very complex" due to the many different circumstances that prompted people to leave.
Family Separation as a Complexity Factor
According to Zelenskyy, at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, a large number of people left Ukraine, and many families were separated: men remained on the front lines while wives and children moved abroad. The president noted that due to prolonged separation, some families have broken up, making it impossible to give a definitive answer regarding the procedure for returning or deporting Ukrainian citizens. "Of course, I would like people who fled Ukraine, if they are of mobilization age, to be in Ukraine, and we would like them to return. But this is a very complex issue because there are many different circumstances why people left," Zelenskyy stated.
Context: EU Temporary Protection and Military Obligations
The president's statement came against the backdrop of previously adopted decisions at the European Union level. In July 2026, the EU Council extended the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainian citizens until March 4, 2028, while restricting its scope for draft-age citizens who are not fulfilling their military obligations in Ukraine. As EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner previously stated, it was Ukrainian officials who asked EU leaders to make such changes to the relevant document. Thus, the issue of the return of draft-age men acquires not only an internal but also an international legal dimension.
Diplomatic Background: Dublin Meetings and US Negotiations
The briefing with the Irish Prime Minister was part of Zelenskyy's broader diplomatic program in Dublin. During the visit, the Ukrainian President held a meeting with US Presidential Special Representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Before visiting Ireland, the American negotiators headed to Russia to discuss possible ceasefire formats directly with Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian side expects that after the meeting in Moscow, Washington representatives will share the Russian side's vision.
Expectations Regarding Truce Issues
Zelenskyy previously stated that Ukraine is awaiting Russia's reaction to truce ideas in several key areas. This primarily concerns stopping strikes on energy infrastructure and ensuring the security of the grain corridor. According to available information, responses to these proposals from Russian negotiators could be provided in the coming days. Thus, the topic of returning draft-age men is being discussed in the context of broader efforts to find conditions for de-escalation of the conflict.
