Ukraine has recently put increased pressure on military-age citizens living abroad to return to the country. The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine announced a temporary suspension of receiving new applications for consular services for Ukrainians aged 18 to 60 residing outside the country. Men in this age group will only be issued identity cards for returning to Ukraine until further notice. They are currently working on developing a mechanism to update and verify the information on the military status of men in this age group who are temporarily abroad. Once this mechanism is complete, further explanations will be provided, and men with legitimate military status will be able to use consular services again.
The Foreign Ministry did not specify how they intend to handle individuals who are illegally staying abroad. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had previously ordered measures to restore the balance between men of military age in Ukraine and those abroad. Kiev recently tightened the rules for the mobilization of soldiers, with harsher punishments for conscientious objectors and delayed release for those completing military service. After over two years of war, Ukraine has struggled to recruit new soldiers to the army, falling behind Russian aggressors.
However, it is important to note that this measure is not just aimed at recruiting new soldiers but also at ensuring national security and protecting Ukrainian citizens from potential threats. This move is part of a broader effort by the Ukrainian government to strengthen its defense capabilities and maintain its sovereignty in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
It’s also worth noting that there have been concerns raised about the treatment of Ukrainian citizens who have been living abroad during this time, particularly those who have been forced into exile or who have chosen to leave voluntarily due to safety concerns or other reasons. The government has not yet addressed these concerns publicly but has emphasized that it remains committed to supporting its citizens no matter where they live or work.