Denys Shmyhal: Security of citizens abroad and their future return to Ukraine should be a priority of the state

The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal chaired an online meeting dedicated to the issues of support of forced migrants who had fled Ukraine as a result of the russian armed aggression.

The meeting also gathered together Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, Minister of Social Policy Maryna Lazebna, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Digital Transformation, MPs.

The participants tackled the protection of Ukrainians who had been temporarily

forced to escape abroad as a result of the war, as well as the creation of preconditions for their return to Ukraine.

"Several million people had to flee Ukraine because of russia's large-scale armed aggression. The security of these citizens and their future return to Ukraine should be a priority of the state," Denys Shmyhal stressed.

The Prime Minister noted that a package of initiatives was currently being developed to facilitate the conditions of stay of Ukrainians abroad. In particular, it concerns social benefits in the Diia, digital accounting to protect against trafficking, the deployment of the Ukrainian educational process, the printing of Ukrainian books and more. Some of the important initiatives will also be on the agenda of the meeting with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

The Head of Government welcomed the introduction by the European Union of the temporary protection of Ukrainian citizens. Meanwhile, Denys Shmyhal stressed the need to develop mechanisms that will facilitate the comfortable return of Ukrainians back home. The Prime Minister heard proposals from representatives of the ministries.

As a result of the meeting, a relevant interdepartmental working group was set up under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna and Minister of Social Policy Maryna Lazebna.