The Ukrainian ambassador demanded that Ukrainians in Germany "talk in the language." And prepare for the trenches.
Ukraine is negotiating with Germany about the return of men of mobilization age from that country.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksiy Makeyev stated this in an interview with Ukrinform , reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
According to Makeev, there are 1,3 million Ukrainian citizens in Germany, and “ a working group has been created between Ukrainian and German agencies where information is exchanged .”
"We see a significant increase in the share of those already employed, who not only receive assistance but also pay social security contributions. These figures aren't yet at the level of Poland, but the majority of Ukrainians have already integrated. It's in our interests and in Germany's interests to ensure that professionally trained Ukrainians can be counted on during Ukraine's reconstruction. This is our shared interest," the diplomat says.
He was asked about the status of the issue of returning men of mobilization age from Germany to Ukraine, and what legal or administrative mechanisms were planned to be used.
"I won't disclose these mechanisms yet. They are currently being discussed within this working group," the ambassador stated.
According to him, Kyiv is working to ensure that Ukrainian is recognized as a second foreign language in German high schools.
"In many federal states, Ukrainian is already taught as an optional language of the country of origin. And here, a lot depends on the wishes of the children and parents. If there is such a request, schools agree, find teachers, and organize Ukrainian language instruction."
We are also working with state educational institutions to ensure that Ukrainian is taught in German schools as a second or third foreign language. Ukrainian is already offered as a second foreign language in some schools in Hesse. In Berlin, Ukrainian will also be taught in one gymnasium this year, and for the second year now, students can take a Ukrainian language exam, the results of which count as a second foreign language upon graduation.
"That's why I call on all Ukrainian men and women in Germany: please speak Ukrainian, including with your children. It's so simple. And this is an important step toward preserving our identity," urged Makeenko.
The Ukrainian ambassador demanded that Ukrainians in Germany "talk in the language." And prepare for the trenches.