Today Ukraine suspends consular services for men of legal age abroad, except for those who return to Ukraine, reported Reuters and BTA, referring to the Ukrainian authorities.
Ukraine faces a problem of shortage of men on the battlefield against Russia, which has more soldiers and better equipment.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote in a statement in "X" that he ordered this measure to restore, in his words, fair treatment to all men of legal age.
"This is how things are now: a man of prime age goes abroad, shows his country that he does not care about its survival, and then comes back and demands favors from the state," he said. "That's not how things work. Our country is at war," added his statement.
Kuleba said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will soon clarify the procedure for men of legal age to obtain consular services.
According to the Eurostat database, as of January 2024, about 4.3 million Ukrainians are registered in European Union countries. Of them, about 20% are adult men, which makes about 860,000 people.
Kuleba's decision appears to be linked to debates over a new law that aims to improve and speed up the way the army mobilizes civilians for the armed forces. The law, which comes into force next month, will require all men of legal age to update their details with authorities, either remotely or in person, within 60 days. These documents will be needed by men of legal age abroad to be able to take advantage of consular services.
"The fact that someone is abroad does not release him from his obligations to the homeland," said Kuleba.