Tymofiy Brik, rector of the Kyiv School of Economics and a sociologist, expressed the opinion that the return of Ukrainian refugees is possible only if security is maintained in Ukraine and favorable conditions for a normal life are created. As a modern survey shows, willingness to return to Ukraine has decreased — from 70-80% at the beginning of the war to only 30-40% today. This, according to Brick, is related to several factors: the level of security, the ability to find work and a sense of national identity.
Brick notes that Ukrainian refugees not only evaluate the conditions for their own lives, but also take into account the prospects for their children, which can be a decisive factor when deciding to return.
"It is not only important whether people have a desire to return. They also think about their loved ones, about what will happen to their children, whether there will be an opportunity for their normal development in Ukraine," the sociologist explained.
A decrease in the level of hospitality in the countries where Ukrainians are now is also unlikely to become a significant incentive for their return to Ukraine. In conditions of economic instability or lack of ability to provide for themselves, refugees may seek new options — such as moving to Italy, Canada or the United States.
"If a person's economic incentive disappears, he needs to make a decision, but this does not mean that he will return to Ukraine. "Refugees can consider other countries where they can secure a better future for themselves," Brik adds.
