- November 24, 2025
- 7:33 pm
- Ukraine
Ukraine can follow Israel’s trajectory — but only if it brings people back.
The main resource of the country is people, and this resource is shrinking faster than discussed
Ukraine debates trillions for reconstruction, considers international packages, but at the core remains a failure that is least discussed publicly: population decline. According to various estimates, there are currently about 35 million people in the country — and this number is not growing.
This is written in his column in “Interfax-Ukraine” on November 24, 2025, by Oleg Vishnyakov, a businessman and Honorary Consul of the State of Israel in the Western region of Ukraine.
Owning infrastructure means nothing if there is no one to work in schools, factories, hospitals, IT companies. The global practice is simple: countries with declining populations lose their economies faster than they can implement reforms.
Israel, in a similar situation, did not wait. It focused on repatriation — in advance, pragmatically, without romance.
Israeli experience: a million new citizens changed the economy — Ukraine can do the same, but the window is limited
In the 90s, Israel accepted more than a million repatriates. For a country where the population was then much smaller than Ukraine’s, it was a shocking but effective step: the economy, science, medicine, and defense technologies grew.
Vishnyakov emphasizes: this process was not easy, but it worked because there was political will, funding, and a clear procedure.
Ukraine is now at a point where migration works in the opposite direction. People have not left for six months. For many, the new country has already become the “default home”: work, school, medicine, clear rules of life.
If Ukraine does not start a systematic repatriation policy now — in a few years even the conversation about returning will become a formality.
Main arguments of Vishnyakov: why repatriation is not “desirable” but mandatory
The author of the article had a direct thesis: Ukraine will not recover without people, no matter how much money and projects there are. All arguments in full:
1. The economy does not grow without a workforce
The Ukrainian economy is already experiencing a shortage of specialists.
If people do not return, GDP growth will be limited.
2. Demographics affect national security
Less population means less mobilization resource, fewer personnel, less scientific and defense potential.
3. The state cannot “wait for the end of the war”
People are making decisions now: where to live, work, educate children.
No one will return to a country where there are no rules or they are too complicated.
4. Repatriation is a strategic project, not a “social program”
It requires money, legislation, infrastructure, not calls for patriotism.
5. Israel’s experience shows that bringing people back is growth
This is proven by fact: a million repatriates changed the country’s economy.
What Ukrainian repatriation policy should include: all the author’s proposals in full
Vishnyakov provided a specific set of steps:
Financial support
- Compensation for relocation.
- Tax benefits.
- Accessible loans.
- Grants for those who start a business or relocate work to Ukraine.
Fast integration without bureaucracy
- Automatic recognition of diplomas.
- Accelerated access to professions.
- Adaptation programs for those who returned after 2–5 years of living abroad.
Working with the diaspora as an economic resource
- Not “maintaining contact,” but involving in business processes, investments, scientific projects.
- And building motivation to return, not just “remember Ukraine.”
Housing
- Priority programs for those returning, so the first months do not become stressful.
Simple rules for business
- Registration — fast.
- Documents — in one place.
- Start — without barriers and endless paperwork.
The window of opportunity exists, but it is not infinite
Ukraine can still bring back a large number of people — but only if it offers clarity.
- People return to where the rules are clear.
- Where the state does not overload with bureaucracy.
- Where there is support at the start.
If this is not the case — repatriation does not happen, and the country continues to lose “brains” and working hands.
Vishnyakov emphasizes: now is the moment when a decision needs to be made, not discussed. In 3–5 years it will be too late.
The conclusion that is hard to say, but honest
The future of Ukraine depends on whether it can bring its people back.
Not with slogans.
Not with the dream of “after victory.”
But with a concrete policy that can be opened, read, understood, and implemented.
This kind of conversation — direct, without embellishments and unnecessary illusions — is important for Ukraine, Israel, and everyone living between the two countries. Therefore, this analysis is published here, on the platform NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency, where the issue of return, demographics, and the future of Ukraine is discussed with focus, not formally.
