Germany And Poland Are Growing Weary Of Ukrainian Refugees And War

Germany and Poland are re-evaluating their support for Ukraine, both militarily and in terms of refugee assistance. Ukraine recently eased travel restrictions for men aged 18-22, leading to a significant increase in Ukrainian arrivals in Germany. This influx has prompted Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder to call for EU action to control and limit these arrivals. A German survey indicates that a majority of Germans oppose financing benefits for Ukrainian refugees. Furthermore, most Germans believe able-bodied Ukrainian men who came after the war should return to fight. Poland has detailed its substantial aid to Ukraine, amounting to over $4 billion in free assistance by March, representing 3.83 percent of its GDP. This aid includes training, logistics, medical support, and Starlink terminals. Poland also provided access to healthcare, education, and the job market for Ukrainian refugees. Additionally, Ukraine purchased €2.2 billion worth of weapons from Poland between 2022 and 2023.