Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on Wednesday (April 24) that Poland is ready to help Ukraine to bring back military-age men to support their country in the conflict against Russia, after the Ukrainian government announced on Wednesday the terms , according to which passports can be issued to men of military age only in Ukraine, reports Reuters.
Under the new rules, men between the ages of 18 and 59 living abroad will not be able to renew expiring passports or get new passports.
Poland has already offered to help Ukraine so that those who have to do military service return to their country and fulfill their civic duty, Kosyniak-Kamisz told Polsat News.
“I think many Poles are outraged to see young Ukrainian men in hotels and cafes,
hearing how much effort we have to make to help Ukraine,” he said, without elaborating on how Poland would help.
In January 2024, approximately 4.3 million Ukrainians lived in the countries of the European Union, of which approximately 860,000 are adult men, according to Eurostat database estimates.
950,000 Ukrainians have obtained temporary protection status in Poland, which is the second highest number after Germany.
“Anything is possible,” Kosiniak-Kamisz said of how Poland would react if Kyiv asked for help to bring home those who would lose their right to stay in Poland after their passports expire.
The new rules for issuing passports and the subsequent explanation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine were announced a day after Foreign Minister Dmitrijs Kuleba suspended the provision of consular services to men aged 18 to 60 until May 18.
On May 18, the new law on mobilization will enter into force,
which aims to increase the number of soldiers by incentivizing volunteers and punishing those who avoid conscription.
Kuleba criticized those living abroad for not participating in the 26-month war against Russia.
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