%20rotate(-89.84)'/%3e%3cpolygon%20class='cls-1'%20points='1227.2%20245.36%201023.42%20216.96%20821.21%20114.82%20826.59%20104.17%201027.03%20205.42%201228.85%20233.54%201227.2%20245.36'/%3e%3ccircle%20class='cls-4'%20cx='1026.35'%20cy='211.19'%20r='80.69'/%3e%3ccircle%20class='cls-2'%20cx='1025.22'%20cy='441.13'%20r='50.31'/%3e%3ccircle%20class='cls-2'%20cx='1228.03'%20cy='239.45'%20r='50.31'/%3e%3ccircle%20class='cls-2'%20cx='1026.35'%20cy='37'%20r='37'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3ccircle%20class='cls-2'%20cx='823.9'%20cy='109.49'%20r='37'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
The latest legislative and policy changes in Ukraine, the EU, and Germany are linked to renewed fears of “mass migration,” particularly of young men from Ukraine. However, a look at the latest statistics shows that the number of new applications in 2025 actually remained below average, with a slight increase in departures in September and October already reversing in November.
This policy brief examines the following questions: (1) How has the exodus from Ukraine developed over the past twelve months, in particular how many young men have sought protection in the EU following the recent change in Ukrainian law? (2) what the prospects are for Ukrainians to stay or return, (3) how the EU's latest recommendation could affect Ukrainians, and (4) how the integration of Ukrainians in Germany has developed.
