A soldier walks along a memorial to fallen Ukrainian soldiers near Mykhailivska Square, in Kyiv, Ukraine, 04 February 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE/ANTONIO COTRIM
In an effort to boost conscription, Ukraine has restricted consular services for men abroad who are eligible for mobilisation.
While protecting Ukrainian citizens abroad “has always been and remains a priority”, ensuring Ukraine’s survival from the Russian onslaught must be considered first and foremost, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on X Thursday.
Kuleba tweeted, “A man of conscription age went abroad, showed the state that he does not care about its survival, and then comes and wants to receive services from this state. It does not work this way.”
Ukrainian media reported Wednesday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had instructed all Ukrainian consulates to suspend services for those who were eligible for mobilisation. This ban will remain in effect until the ministry provides further clarification for men of conscription age abroad on how to obtain consular services.
Kuleba emphasised in his statement that these new procedures, due to be announced soon, would be “fair”. “Staying abroad does not relieve a citizen of his or her duties to the Homeland,” he added.
The move comes amid Ukraine toughening its mobilisation legislation, with the country’s parliament passing a bill which mandates that all men from the age of 25 carry their military papers with them at all times and provides for basic training for men under the age of 25.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also signed a law on 2 April lowering the minimum age requirement for mobilisation from 27 to 25 years old, which will come into effect on 16 May.
