6–9 million Ukrainians may “disappear” from the state’s perspective: how Ukraine is seeking ways to bring people back home

The Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy presented an initiative to open Unity Hubs, which are intended to become part of the state support system for Ukrainians living abroad.

As noted by the Committee, currently almost 6 million citizens live outside Ukraine. For many of them, temporary protection in EU countries has turned into a long-term period, raising questions about maintaining ties with Ukraine and the possibility of returning home.

In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine is implementing the "Network of Unity of Ukrainians" project. It involves combining digital services and physical support spaces in the largest European cities.

A key element of the digital part is the portal dodomu.unity.gov.ua, which allows Ukrainians to create an individual return plan.

Among practical steps is the opening of the first official UnityHubBerlin in the center of Berlin. The hub offers workspaces, children's rooms, venues for educational and cultural events, as well as the opportunity to receive consultations and administrative services, including through the State Enterprise "Document," resolve issues with the Pension Fund of Ukraine, and get assistance from international organizations.

The Ministry emphasizes that the project is implemented on the principle of public-private and international partnership. The centers are created based on agreements with the countries hosting Ukrainians, which allows attracting their resources, premises, and infrastructure, as well as support from international and public organizations.

Direct management, financial support, and daily operational activities of the system are carried out by the specialized company "Network of Unity."

According to the Ministry of Social Policy, the Unity Center for Ukrainians in Europe opened on April 15 in Berlin. More than 2,000 people have already used its services.

Also, on June 15, the Unity Hub Stockholm was opened in the capital of Sweden — Stockholm. At that time, Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine Ilona Havronska reported that about 4.3 million Ukrainians are currently under temporary protection in EU countries, of which more than 45 thousand are in Sweden. According to her, the creation of Unity Centers is an important step to maintain ties with Ukrainians abroad and provide them with reliable information to make decisions about the future, including the possibility of returning to Ukraine.

Additionally, Ukraine is working on creating systematic support for children currently growing up abroad and on mechanisms to maintain their connection with the Homeland. Ilona Havronska previously spoke about this in an interview.

According to her, many Ukrainian children are born outside the country and do not enter Ukrainian state registers because they are registered only in the systems of foreign states.

The Network of Unity is expected to help solve this problem — a platform designed to provide parents with clear information about registering newborns in Ukrainian registers.

"One of the tasks of the Network of Unity is to create an environment where parents of a newborn can at least receive clear information on how to register the child in the Ukrainian register. Yes, this information is available at consulates, but it is important for us that it is communicated everywhere, also through communities, centers, and online platforms," she emphasized.

In turn, the head of the State Migration Service of Ukraine, Nataliya Naumenko, believes that a significant portion of Ukrainians who left abroad due to the war may return home.

According to her, which significantly differs from previously announced estimates, currently about 7 to 9 million citizens are outside Ukraine. At the same time, she emphasizes that these numbers are not static, as some Ukrainians are already returning, while others are integrating into other countries.

"We understand that not everyone will return. There are people who have already assimilated and integrated into the societies of other countries," Naumenko said.

At the same time, she estimates the potential return at about 50%. According to her, migration is a natural process, especially in the European context, where people are more mobile and not strictly tied to a place of residence or work.

Naumenko stressed that the key conditions for Ukrainians' return are security, economic development, availability of jobs, and affordable housing. She also noted that this process will not be quick and may take years or even decades.

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