German Chancellor Merz calls on Ukrainian youth

Following the decision by Germany's coalition partners, the Christian Union parties (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), to pay Ukrainian refugees arriving in Germany due to the war with Russia the lower Asylum Seeker Benefit (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz) instead of the Citizen's Benefit (Bürgergeld), a notable statement has now come from Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

In a speech at an event organized by the German Retail Federation (HDE) in Berlin, German Chancellor Merz provided information regarding his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today. Chancellor Merz stated that he conveyed his view to Zelenskyy that young Ukrainian men should stay in their country and serve rather than coming to Germany. Merz said, "I asked President Zelenskyy to ensure this. I stated that they are needed in Ukraine."

Merz also confirmed the government's plan to implement the regulation for refugees arriving from Ukraine to receive asylum seeker benefits instead of the citizen's benefit.

ASYLUM SEEKER BENEFIT INSTEAD OF CITIZEN'S BENEFIT WILL BE PROVIDED

In Germany, coalition partners the Christian Union parties (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) had reached an agreement to pay Ukrainians arriving in Germany due to the war with Russia an Asylum Seeker Benefit (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz) of 441 euros instead of the 563-euro Citizen's Benefit (Bürgergeld). In their final meeting yesterday evening, the coalition partners decided that all Ukrainians arriving in Germany after April 1, 2025, would be evaluated under asylum seeker status and receive less social assistance. The coalition parties also reached an agreement to restrict health benefits provided to Ukrainians by reducing them to the level of basic assistance.

In a written statement issued by the German Chancellery, it was noted that the situation of Ukrainian refugees was also discussed during the phone call Chancellor Merz held with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy today.