Ukraine has recently 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 living abroad. Men in this age group will only be issued identity cards for returning to Ukraine until further notice. The Ministry is currently developing a mechanism to update and verify the military status of men between the ages of 18 and 60 who are temporarily abroad. Once this process 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 the Ukrainian state intends to deal with people who are staying abroad illegally.
Prior to this announcement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had stated measures were needed to restore the balance between men of military age in Ukraine and those living abroad. Kiev had also recently tightened the rules for the mobilization of soldiers, increasing punishments for conscientious objectors and delaying the release of those who have completed military service.
After more than two years of war, Ukraine has been experiencing difficulties recruiting new soldiers to combat the Russian aggressors. This situation has prompted the government to take measures to encourage military-age citizens living abroad to return to Ukraine and support the nation’s defense efforts.