According to forecasts by Ukraine’s Ministry for National Unity, around 60 million Ukrainians live across the globe. Of these, 32 million reside within Ukraine itself. The rest either have temporary protection in Europe, Turkey, or North America, or are part of one of the many generations of the diaspora. But how engaged are these different groups in helping tackle Ukraine’s many challenges? The answer is clear to all: not enough. Both at home and abroad, it’s only a small, active minority that truly cares about the country’s future. The rest, at best, keep up with Christmas and Easter traditions and still speak the language to some degree. Is it possible to awaken this passive segment and involve them in real support for Ukraine? To some extent, yes — but it won’t be easy.
“I didn’t even know we had a Ministry for National Unity!” a friend admitted with a laugh as she hurried off to a community meeting with Minister Chernyshov. “Then again, it’s not that surprising. When it comes to discord, we’re perfectly capable on our own — all we need is a reason to argue. But unity? That’s something we still have to learn.” Her self-deprecating comment isn’t without truth. Russian propagandists and their troll factories rely precisely on this Ukrainian knack for getting into heated arguments over the smallest things when they flood social media with fakes and manipulations.
“For far too long, we didn’t have a state of our own,” says Daria, a Ukrainian who’s been living in Paris since the post–World War II years. “That statelessness meant not everyone grew up with the belief that Ukrainian independence is something precious — something worth dedicating yourself to, risking something for, and putting in serious collective effort. If you compare the Ukrainian diaspora with, say, the Polish one, you’ll see Poles tend to have a stronger sense of national pride. I think that’s because their statehood has deeper roots. Our people, more often than not, are just trying to survive — make a bit of money, save a bit — and that’s about as far as their dreams go.”
Even if political awareness isn’t shared by all Ukrainians abroad, the diaspora still remains a significant asset for Ukraine — primarily because of its size. Nearly 30 million people represent a potential force that could contribute both to supporting the front and to reconstruction. Could — but as it stands, not every Ukrainian who has moved abroad is striving to stay connected or be of service to their homeland. Some choose to leave the past behind and integrate as fully as possible into their new country, while others are unsure whether to return once active hostilities cease. Once again, it’s the active minority that collects and sends aid and hosts wounded soldiers for rehabilitation…
“According to our estimates, 4.9 million Ukrainians currently have temporary protection in Europe,” noted Oleksiy Chernyshov, Minister for National Unity, at a community meeting in Paris. “Our task is not to lose these people for Ukraine. They can all become ambassadors for their country — representing it, defending its reputation and interests…” The experiences of Polish, Jewish, Armenian, Albanian, Afghan, and many other communities show that a diaspora can play a crucial role in addressing the political and economic challenges faced by its homeland. Even if Ukraine lacks many reliable allies abroad, it has millions of Ukrainians worldwide — a resource it must engage and work with.
One potential way to engage the diaspora is through dual or multiple citizenship. For a long time, Ukraine hesitated to go down this path, but now a draft law has been introduced, and it has even passed its first reading in parliament. The challenge, however, is clear: how to avoid discriminating against Ukrainians living in Russia. In the context of war — and possibly beyond — their participation in voting and other political processes could pose complications for Ukraine due to their political affiliations. The most likely path forward, then, is to establish bilateral agreements with countries that currently support Ukraine.
Preliminary forecasts suggest that only a third of those who left Ukraine during the full-scale war are likely to return once it ends — and that’s the best-case scenario. Just this year, 2025, an additional 780,290 people have received temporary protection in Europe. Some have truly lost everything and are hoping to rebuild abroad, but let’s not kid ourselves: some left with no intention of returning. That doesn’t mean, however, that they’re ready to forget about Ukraine altogether. The world is increasingly defined by multiple identities, and as we see from the example of the so-called old diaspora, many families — even after three or five generations — still feel a strong connection to their Ukrainian roots.
“We must accept the dual identity of Ukrainians abroad as a reality,” said Pavlo Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress, in an earlier interview with The Ukrainian Week. “Most members of the Ukrainian community in Canada are proud to be both Ukrainian and Canadian. One identity doesn’t negate the other. We can take pride in Ukrainian culture and feel an inseparable part of the Ukrainian people, while also being full members of Canadian, French, or Italian society. I am a patriot of both Canada and Ukraine.”
When embraced skillfully, dual identity can become a strength. An understanding of other cultures and active involvement in the economic and political life of other countries can work in Ukraine’s favour — as long as there is the will and the right upbringing. Whether we are able to tap into this potential depends on how Ukrainian communities abroad organise themselves in the coming years.
Being Ukrainian today, as always, is no easy task — but it is an honourable one. “You are a symbol of dignity and the hope of Europe,” says Patricia, a schoolteacher from Picardy. She has enrolled in Ukrainian language courses, even though she doesn’t have a drop of Ukrainian blood. “When the war is over, I’d like to help rebuild your country.” Despite the tough political situation, she believes Ukraine will endure. Who knows — maybe one day she will embody a dual French-Ukrainian identity? And really, why not? People like her are exactly who we need.
