EDITOR'S CORNER: Refugees Back to Ukraine?

I was shocked to read that Britain now considers parts of western Ukraine safe and is encouraging refugees to return and repatriate internally. How can Western allies extend military support with one hand, yet reject Ukrainians based on refugee visa applications with the other?

In this blog post, we’ll dive into that contradiction. Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed around the world with open arms. But after three and a half years, is that welcome starting to wear thin?

 

 UKRAINIANS AS REFUGEES

Around 7 million Ukrainians have fled their homeland since the war began. The vast majority are women and children. While some men have also left, many have remained in Ukraine to support the war effort in various ways.

These families have largely integrated into their host countries. They've found jobs, secured housing, enrolled their children in schools, and learned the local language—or improved their English. Many have built new friendships and formed communities.

Since the beginning of the war and the resulting refugee crisis, one question has loomed: will they go back? Employers, for instance, were understandably concerned about the long-term availability of their new workers. But now, after years of conflict, most refugees say they won’t return. The reasons are clear: their children are growing up in these new countries, they’ve built stable lives, and for many, their homes in Ukraine no longer exist. Maybe it's because they were destroyed by bombings, or located in temporarily occupied territories. 

INTERNAL FACTORS

Internally, around 3.7 million Ukrainians have been displaced within their own country. It’s important to stress that this number could rise dramatically if the occupied territories are handed over to Russia as part of any future peace deal.

One of the most devastating consequences of the war has been the widespread displacement and population loss. Internally displaced people often end up in overcrowded urban centers, many of which are not equipped to handle such a rapid influx. This has placed immense pressure on housing, job markets, and essential public services like healthcare and education.

The psychological toll of living in a war zone cannot be overstated. Even cities like Lviv—often labeled "safe" by foreign governments—remain under threat from missile strikes and drone attacks. The constant fear, lack of control, and ongoing sleep deprivation wear down people’s mental health over time. Families, including young children, the elderly, and even pets, are regularly forced to shelter in basements or metro stations for hours. Children face disrupted schooling and emotional trauma from witnessing things no child ever should. Adults carry deep psychological scars, with many experiencing anxiety, depression, and lasting trauma.

So, how can such places be considered safe for Ukrainians to return to? For them, safety is not just the absence of bombs—it means dignity, stability, and peace of mind. They don’t want to live in fear that the next air raid could take their lives or destroy what little they have left.

SHARING THE BURDEN

The burden of war should not fall solely on the shoulders of those who are already suffering the most. Ukrainians did not choose this war—they were invaded. And yet, they are being asked to return to a country still under fire, still facing nightly air raids, economic instability, and the constant threat of further territorial loss. 

For host nations, supporting refugees isn’t just an act of charity; it’s a commitment to the shared values of freedom, human rights, and international solidarity. Making it more burdensome to apply for or renew residence permits only compounds the stress these families already face. They are navigating trauma, loss, and displacement—often while trying to rebuild their lives, support their children, and hold onto a sense of normalcy.

CONCLUSION

The idea that parts of Ukraine are now "safe enough" for return ignores the realities on the ground and places the burden of war recovery on those least able to carry it. Refugees are not opportunists—they are survivors. They did not leave their homes lightly, and they will not return to them lightly either, especially when what awaits is rubble, trauma, and ongoing danger.

If the West wants to be seen as a true ally of Ukraine, its policies must reflect more than military alliances and political posturing. True support means protecting people, not just borders. It means standing by those who fled for their lives, not pushing them to leave as soon as it is inconvenient. Until peace is lasting, and Ukraine is truly safe for its people, repatriation should remain a choice—not an expectation. Anything less would be a betrayal of the values we claim to defend. And the values Ukrainians die on the battlefield to defend for their own nation and for Europe.