Ukraine and Germany have formed a joint working group to discuss how to return Ukrainian men of military age who left the country illegally, according to Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Oleksiy Makeiev.As of late May, Germany hosted approximately 1.35 million Ukrainian refugees, including 356,000 men between the ages of 18 and 63.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.In an interview with state media Ukrinform on Thursday, Makeiev confirmed that the two nations are exchanging information and actively exploring methods to facilitate the return of these individuals.However, the specific mechanisms currently under discussion have not been disclosed.The development followed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s April remarks that Berlin would limit the number of Ukrainian men seeking asylum and facilitate their return home during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Germany.The ambassador outlined broader efforts to maintain ties with the Ukrainian diaspora, highlighting the establishment of “Unity Hubs.” The first such center, recently opened in Berlin, provides a space for civil society organizations and state services, such as the Pension Fund, to interact directly with Ukrainian citizens.Makeiev also noted the rising employment and tax contribution rates among Ukrainians residing in Germany.He stated that both Kyiv and Berlin share a mutual interest in keeping these integrated, professionally trained individuals connected to Ukraine to assist in the country’s eventual reconstruction.