Alice Weidel, leader of the Alternative for Germany party, stated that Ukrainian men of draft age should leave Germany and return to Ukraine, citing a six-digit number of individuals and referring to over a million Ukrainians who supposedly receive social benefits. This statement is a political declaration without legal consequences, as the AfD lacks a majority in the Bundestag and does not influence the legislative process.
What Weidel Said Exactly
“Especially young Ukrainian men of draft age. We’re talking about a six-digit number. These young people should return,” Weidel stated. According to her, more than a million Ukrainians in Germany receive social benefits, and such a situation is financially unacceptable for the country.
How Accurate Are the Figures Cited
Official data tells a different story. Germany hosts approximately 1 330 000 Ukrainian refugees, and as of June 2026, around 400 000 of them are already employed. This means the difference of 1 330 000 minus 400 000 does not yield the figure Weidel mentions: fewer than a million Ukrainian refugees actually receive Bürgergeld assistance in Germany. These are official figures verified through German government agencies.
Politics, Power, and Legislation Are Not the Same
The issue of Ukrainian refugees in Germany is raised by all political forces, and the closer we get to elections, the more often it surfaces in public discourse. This does not mean that a politician making such a statement holds power, and certainly not that they influence the legislative process. It is the legislative process itself that can have legal consequences for Ukrainian refugees, not individual political statements.
The AfD is present in the Bundestag but does not hold a majority there: the faction is currently formed by the SPD, CDU, and CSU. The next Bundestag elections will take place in 2029. Until then, little is likely to change at the legislative level for Ukrainian refugees in Germany.
Why There Is Still Cause for Concern
The AfD is classified as a right-wing extremist organization in some German states, and the relevant constitutional protection authority officially recognizes the party as pro-Russian. The party promotes narratives favorable to Russia and advocates for ending aid to Ukraine. The fact that this party seeks power in Germany is genuinely concerning—regardless of how accurate the figures in its individual statements are.
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