Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has announced that it will restore the provision of consular services for military-age men on updated conditions starting from May 18. Due to the new law on mobilization, Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 are generally prohibited from leaving Ukraine during the ongoing war and while martial law is in effect. The ministry clarified that draft-aged men will be able to apply for consular services with an electronic or paper document proving that they are on the draft register. Exceptions to this requirement include cases such as individuals applying for consular services to return to Ukraine, children of foreign or stateless parents, and individuals who are arrested or deprived of liberty.
The Ukrainian government has stated that it does not plan to forcibly bring back military-aged men who are currently in the EU. However, some neighboring countries that host a significant number of Ukrainian refugees, such as Poland and Lithuania, have shown willingness to potentially assist Ukraine in repatriating their fighting-aged men. While no clear steps have been presented yet, several countries like Germany and Estonia have announced that they will allow Ukrainian refugees to obtain temporary residency permits and extend expired ones even without valid passports.
The Czech Republic, which has around 94,643 men aged 18 to 65 under temporary protection due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has urged Ukrainian draft-aged men abroad to fulfill their legal obligations. Czech Foreign Minister emphasized that they do not support those who avoid their responsibilities related to military service. The Czech Interior Ministry’s data highlights the significant number of Ukrainian men in the country who are under temporary protection because of the conflict in Ukraine, underscoring the importance of complying with legal requirements.
The suspension and restoration of consular services for Ukrainian draft-aged men reflect the challenges faced by the country amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The efforts to align consular services with the new law on mobilization and military service demonstrate the government’s commitment to ensuring that citizens fulfill their obligations during these challenging times. While neighboring countries have shown willingness to assist in repatriating Ukrainian men of fighting age, the specifics of how this will be implemented are yet to be fully outlined. The provision of consular services and repatriation efforts are crucial aspects of ensuring the safety and well-being of Ukrainian citizens affected by the conflict.
