Ukraine is facing a shortage of soldiers which has an impact on the battlefield against Russia’s larger and better equipped army.
With estimates currently at around 330,000 soldiers currently on the battlefield, Ukraine has pushed through new conscription legislation aimed at overhauling the country’s legal framework in the face of a possible increase in recruitment, which can include up to 500,000 people.
Now Ukraine is trying to “tighten the ropes” for conscripts and thus suspended consular services for its male citizens of military age living abroad with the exception of those who need to return to Ukraine, as reported by APE – BPE, the government’s helpline, in a move that appears to be aimed at boosting recruitment for the war with Russia.
“A man of military age went abroad, showed his state that he did not care about his survival, and then comes and wants to receive services from that state”
A soldier of the 3rd separate assault brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces conducts a trial basic military course for potential recruits aspiring to join the brigade (Source: REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko)
“Our country is at war”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a post on social media X that he had ordered measures to restore what he described as “fair treatment” of men of military age. The Ukrainian foreign minister criticized those who left Ukraine before or during the war.
“The way things are now: a man of military age went abroad, showed his state that he does not care about his survival, and then comes and wants to receive services from this state,” he noted.
“It doesn’t work that way. Our country is at war,” he added.
The Foreign Office will clarify the process for men of military age to secure consular services soon.
“Staying abroad does not exempt a citizen from his or her duties at home,” Kuleba also emphasized.
The post in detail
“Protecting the rights and interests of Ukrainian citizens abroad has always been and remains a priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the same time, under the conditions of Russia’s all-out aggression, the main priority is to protect our homeland from destruction. What it looks like now: a man of military age went abroad, showed his state that he does not care about his survival, and then comes and wants to receive services from that state. It doesn’t work that way. Our country is at war. Besides, the obligation to update the documents with the recruiting centers existed even before the passing of the new conscription law.
If one thinks that while someone is fighting away on the front line and risking his/her life for this state, someone else is living abroad but receiving services from that state, then it doesn’t work like that. Staying abroad does not exempt the citizen from his duties towards the homeland.
That is why yesterday I ordered measures to restore fair treatment to men of conscription age in Ukraine and abroad. That will be fair. Soon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide further clarification on the process of obtaining consular services within the legal framework for men of conscription age in foreign diplomatic missions as we approach the entry into force of the Law ‘On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Certain Matters of Military Service’ , Mobilization and Military Registration’, as well as after its entry into force”.
About 4.3 million Ukrainians had in EU countries.
In a separate statement, the state passport issuing agency said: “Unfortunately, due to technical reasons, the issuance of documents at the overseas branches of the KE (State Enterprise) Documents is suspended.”
According to the Eurostat database, approximately 4.3 million Ukrainians were registered in EU countries. by January 2024, of which about 20% are adult men, i.e. around 860,000.
