Söder says they should help defend country instead of receiving Bürgergeld

Söder, who leads Bavaria’s Christian Social Union (CSU), made the remarks in a post on X on Sept. 18.

“We support Ukraine like few other countries do because Russia poses a threat to us as well,” Söder wrote.

“However, the so-called switch between welfare systems must be abolished. That means young, able-bodied men from Ukraine should not receive Bürgergeld but should instead become more actively involved in defending their country.”

The CSU forms a joint parliamentary bloc with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at the federal level.

Söder also argued that German financial support for Ukraine should generate more orders for German industry.

Ukraine should use the substantial assistance it receives from Germany to purchase more technology from German companies, he said.

Söder further argued that Berlin, like Washington, should negotiate with Kyiv over access to Ukrainian raw materials.

His comments come amid a broader debate in Germany and the European Union over the status of Ukrainian men of military age living abroad.

In July, EU member states agreed to extend temporary protection for people displaced from Ukraine until March 4, 2028.

At the same time, the bloc agreed that new applicants for temporary protection should have to demonstrate compliance with their military obligations under Ukrainian law. The restriction applies to new applicants rather than Ukrainians already benefiting from temporary protection in the EU.

Germany has also been debating changes to the welfare system for Ukrainian refugees.

Under legislation still moving through the German parliament this summer, certain Ukrainian arrivals would be shifted from Bürgergeld to lower benefits provided under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has also backed calls for Ukrainian men of military age currently living in Germany to return home.

Wadephul said in September that Germany could assist Kyiv in contacting such men using residency and benefit records, although he said any return should take place without coercion.