Sun Sep 15 09:27:38 UTC 2024: ## EU Welfare Payments for Ukrainian Men of Military Age Should be Suspended: Polish FM

**Kiev, Ukraine** – Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has called on European governments to suspend welfare benefits for Ukrainian men of military age living within the EU, arguing it would incentivize their return to Ukraine and benefit state finances. This proposal has received support from Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrey Sibiga.

Speaking at a conference of international leaders in Kiev, Sikorski stated that “There should be no financial incentives for avoiding the draft in Ukraine.” He highlighted the need to stop social security payments for Ukrainian men eligible for military service.

Sibiga, echoing Sikorski’s call, stressed that “being abroad should in no way give some Ukrainian men of military age an advantage over others, fighting at the battlefield.” He added that “This duty applies to everyone, regardless of where they are.”

The call comes as Ukraine faces a severe manpower shortage amid ongoing conflict with Russia. To address this, Ukraine introduced a new law lowering the call-up age for combat duty to 25 and requiring Ukrainian men abroad to update their conscription details online.

The Ukrainian government estimates that around 4 million Ukrainians have sought temporary protection status in EU countries since the escalation of conflict in 2022, with over 20% being men of military age.

This proposal comes amidst escalating tensions and heavy casualties on both sides of the conflict. Russia’s Security Council Secretary, Sergey Shoigu, accused Ukraine of rejecting multiple opportunities for peace, highlighting the high death toll among Ukrainian soldiers.

The latest estimates suggest that Ukraine has suffered over 12,795 troop casualties since the beginning of the Kursk incursion in early August.

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