German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has backed the idea of Ukrainian men of military age returning from Germany to Ukraine. He said Berlin has data on such citizens that the Ukrainian authorities could use to contact them about being called up for service.
Johann Wadephul made the comments in an interview with Bild.
Germany’s foreign minister supported the position of CSU leader Markus Söder, who has called for Ukrainian men of military age currently living in Germany to return to Ukraine. According to Wadephul, German authorities know who lives in the country, receives social benefits, is registered there or has residency status.
“We know who lives here. Who, for example, receives social benefits, who is registered here, who has residency status,” the minister said.
He said that based on this data, the Ukrainian government could contact the men with notices about the need for them to be called up.
“I think this can be discussed and that it must be discussed,” Wadephul said.
At the same time, the German foreign minister stressed that the men’s return to Ukraine should take place “without coercion”.
Separately, Wadephul expressed dissatisfaction with the volume of Ukrainian defence orders placed in Germany. According to him, Berlin is Ukraine’s largest supporter in terms of financial and military assistance, and Germany’s defence industry should therefore also receive orders.
The minister said he had raised the issue with Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his latest visit.
“We stand by you, we support you. But I also have to explain this to German taxpayers, and the least you can do is involve the German defence industry in all procurement,” Wadephul said.
According to him, Germany is currently “not entirely satisfied” with the number of orders Ukraine is placing in the country. Berlin has asked the Ukrainian government to review the situation and ensure that it improves.
