Ukraine is set to lift a temporary ban on consular services for military-age men living abroad, starting on Saturday, in a move aimed at addressing the acute shortage of troops to defend against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The ban, which was introduced in April, was put in place to allow for a technical pause to align with legislation overhauling the rules governing army mobilization. However, the law tightening draft rules will come into force on Saturday, requiring men abroad to have an up-to-date military document to apply for services such as passport renewals.
The suspension of consular services had sparked criticism from Ukrainians abroad and some lawmakers, while others in the military supported it as a fair move. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba criticized men residing abroad for not aiding the state in its fight for survival.
Ukraine has recently adopted a series of laws to help call up fresh reinforcements and address cases of draft dodging, including illegal migration abroad. With an estimated 860,000 adult men living in European Union countries, the country faces a significant challenge in mobilizing troops to defend against the ongoing invasion.
The lifting of the ban on consular services for military-age men abroad is seen as a crucial step in bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities and ensuring that it has the necessary manpower to confront the threat posed by Russia.