Ruslan Shostak, President of TERWIN, believes that the current outflow of young people is not a critical problem for Ukraine’s future development — provided that the country creates conditions for education, professional growth, and stability.
On his Facebook page, Shostak noted that the recently adopted law allowing men under 22 to travel abroad is a democratic decision that eases social tension, keeps students in the country, and gives young people the opportunity to travel, study, and gain experience abroad — while also enabling those who left during the war to return freely.
“People call me an optimist, and I truly don’t see this as a major problem. It’s absolutely clear why this law was passed. On the other hand, the war continues, and such an outflow is certainly felt by businesses. But it will not be fatal.
For example, during the peak period — from July to September — in just one month, between August 28 and September 28, 2025, more than 56,000 young people aged 18–22 crossed Ukraine’s border, and over 19,000 returned from Poland. So, about one-third came back,” shared Ruslan Shostak, President of TERWIN.
According to the entrepreneur, TERWIN’s businesses have also felt the impact: in the third quarter of 2025, twice as many young employees left compared to the same period in 2024. However, he emphasized that this is a temporary trend driven by heightened interest, and the situation will likely stabilize in the near future.
At the same time, Shostak believes that both the government and businesses should already be considering what conditions are needed to bring young people back.
“What can truly keep young people in Ukraine are accessible, high-quality education, real career opportunities, safety and a sense of stability, affordable housing, and programs that support entrepreneurship and innovation. This is not just about comfort — it’s the foundation that helps young people understand that Ukraine is not a transit country, but a place where one can build a life, a career, and a future,” concluded Ruslan Shostak.