- February 26, 2025
- 12:05 am
- Ukraine
The return of Ukrainians from abroad is an urgent issue that began to be actively discussed immediately after a significant number of Ukrainian citizens left the country due to the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, millions of Ukrainians left the country. According to the UN, by 2024, approximately 6.7 million Ukrainian citizens remain abroad.
Ukraine is faced with the challenging task of how to create conditions for their return. Authorities are considering various mechanisms and studying successful examples, including the Israeli repatriation model.
This is discussed by Vadim Popko, Doctor of Law, professor, lawyer, honored lawyer of Ukraine, managing partner of an LLC in his blog on RBC on February 18, 2025.
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced in November 2024 the creation of the Ministry of National Unity (Minnaetsedinstvo), which will deal with the global Ukrainian diaspora and develop citizen return programs.
“Ukraine needs a central body that will deal with the issues of our global multimillion-strong community. This is important for our nation, for Ukraine’s future”, said Zelensky.
Creation of the Ministry of National Unity
On December 4, 2024, the Ukrainian government reformed the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories into the Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine (Minnaetsedinstvo).
On January 24, 2025, the Cabinet approved its powers. The new department’s tasks include:
- Formulating national unity policy and relations with Ukrainians abroad;
- Supporting national self-identity and strategic communications;
- Protecting the rights of Ukrainians abroad and creating conditions for their return;
- Developing cultural and educational ties.
On the same day, the government created the Agency of National Unity, which will handle the practical issues of implementing this policy.
According to the head of Minnaetsedinstvo Oleksiy Chernyshev, the agency plans to open Unity Hub centers in countries with a significant number of Ukrainians.
“We will create support centers for our citizens abroad. This will be a place where they can get legal help, advice on returning to Ukraine, and social support”, said Chernyshev.
Why is Ukraine studying Israel’s experience?
Israel is one of the most successful examples of returning its citizens to their historical homeland.
Back in 1948, in the Declaration of Independence, Israel proclaimed the principle of “the return of Jews to their land.” Two years later, the Knesset approved the Law of Return (1950), which guaranteed all Jews the right to repatriation and Israeli citizenship.
Over 76 years of independence, more than 3.4 million Jews have repatriated to Israel, and the country’s population has grown more than 12 times.
The key role in this process was played by:
- The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, which helps new immigrants;
- The Jewish Agency “Sokhnut”, which facilitates the relocation of Jews from around the world;
- Funds and organizations, such as Nefesh B’Nefesh, which provide financial and logistical support.
Ukrainians in Israel: How Many Are There Now?
Since the beginning of the war, Israel has become one of the countries that received a significant number of Ukrainians.
According to the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration of Israel:
- From February 2022, more than 15,000 Jews from Ukraine arrived in Israel through the repatriation program.
- An additional about 50,000 Ukrainians entered Israel in 2022 as tourists or in search of temporary shelter.
- In 2023, about 30,000 Ukrainians remained in the country, some of whom extended their visas or were waiting for status.
However, not all were able to obtain repatriate status. According to Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk, by August 2024, 12,000-13,000 Ukrainians remained in Israel without Israeli citizenship.
“Most of them are working or have relatives here. However, the lack of refugee status makes their situation unstable”, noted Korniychuk.
Why Did Ukrainians Leave the Country?
The main reasons for Ukrainian migration abroad:
- Safety – threat to life due to war, rocket attacks, and fighting.
- Economic crisis – destruction of enterprises, unemployment, inflation.
- Uncertainty about the future – lack of stability guarantees after the war.
- Reuniting with relatives – many left for countries where their families already lived.
- Opportunities abroad – access to higher salaries, social support, and education.
Is Mass Return Possible?
According to studies, about 30–40% of Ukrainian emigrants are ready to return if the country ensures:
- Safety and the absence of military threats;
- Economic opportunities and jobs;
- Social programs for returning citizens;
- Adaptation programs similar to Israel’s repatriation model.
These goals are exactly what the Ministry of National Unity and its subordinate structures are working towards.
Conclusion
Ukraine is faced with a historic challenge: to bring millions of its citizens back home.
Israel’s experience shows that organized repatriation is possible if the state takes an active role in the process.
The Ministry of National Unity has already developed a strategy, which includes creating support centers for Ukrainians abroad and adaptation programs for returnees.
The success of this initiative will largely depend on international cooperation, economic reforms, and Ukraine’s social policy in the coming years.
NAnews – Israel News will follow the implementation of the program and report on the repatriation experience in Israel.
