The Bottom Line Upfront
Ukraine has announced that men between 18 and 60 years old who are fit for military service will no longer be able to renew their passports from outside the country, to reverse the drain of potential soldiers. This move comes as Ukraine seeks to bolster its military forces in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression.
The Breakdown
- This restriction on passport renewals for fighting-age men abroad highlights Ukraine's urgent need to replenish its military ranks and defend against Russia's continued aggression.
- The Ukrainian government has announced that men fit for military service between the ages of 18 and 60 will only be able to replace their passports inside Ukraine.
- Millions of Ukrainians, including 860,000 men of conscription age, have fled the country since Russia's invasion in 2022, with many seeking refuge in neighboring European countries.
- Poland, which has a significant Ukrainian diaspora, has expressed willingness to help ensure that those subject to compulsory military service return to Ukraine.
- Critics argue that denying military-age men access to consular services could lead to legal challenges at the European Court of Human Rights and push more Ukrainians to seek citizenship from other countries.
