German authorities spent over $7.3 billion on welfare payments for Ukrainian refugees in 2024, according to government data. The funds were allocated for ‘citizen’s benefits,’ which are typically reserved for German nationals. Markus Soder, the head of Bavaria and the Christian Social Union (CSU), has called for a policy change to restrict these benefits for Ukrainian refugees, arguing that the generosity of the welfare system is making it less appealing for Ukrainians to find employment. This stance is part of a larger debate over the economic and social impact of the current support system for refugees. Soder claims that no other country in the world treats Ukrainians as generously as Germany, and that the large-scale provision of benefits is a key reason why the employment rate among Ukrainian refugees remains low. The CSU, a major political party in the federal government coalition, has proposed that the new rules should apply to all Ukrainian refugees, not just those arriving after April 1. However, the new regulations are still pending, and current arrivals continue to receive the ‘citizen’s benefits.’ The discussion highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing humanitarian support with economic sustainability in the face of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.