Cutting benefits would encourage more Ukrainians to return home and enlist in the fight against Russian forces Sikorski argued, speaking at a conference in Kyiv.

The move, he suggested, would also alleviate financial pressures on Western European countries hosting millions of Ukrainian refugees. As of July, over 4.1 million Ukrainians were under temporary protection in EU nations, with roughly 22% being adult men, according to Eurostat.

“We should stop paying social benefits to people eligible for Ukrainian conscription. There should be no financial incentives to avoid conscription,” Sikorski stated. He emphasized that in Poland, no such payments are offered to those avoiding the draft.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed support for Sikorski’s proposal, stressing the need for EU countries to develop programs to facilitate the return of conscription-aged men to Ukraine. “Appropriate conditions need to be created, but it should be on the agenda,” Sybiha said.

Ukraine has recently introduced measures to bolster its military recruitment efforts, including lowering the conscription age from 27 to 25 and urging its citizens abroad to follow conscription orders. Despite these efforts, many men continue to evade the draft, with reports of corruption and bribery within the recruitment system.

Sikorski’s comments come as Ukraine faces a continued demand for soldiers in its ongoing conflict with Russia, raising broader questions about Europe’s role in supporting the war effort.