Next year, men living abroad may be called up for military service. Ukrainians of conscription age between 25 and 60 who are in Germany and other countries may be asked to report to the recruitment offices of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Citizens of Ukraine residing abroad may be mobilized to the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Ukrainian conscripts living abroad may be drafted into the army. Such options are being discussed in Ukraine.
This was announced by the Ukrainian Minister of Defence, Rustem Umierov, in an interview with Welt and Bild.
Umierov suggested that men living abroad could be called up for military service next year. Ukrainians of conscription age between 25 and 60 who are in Germany and other countries may be asked to report to the recruitment offices of the AFU.
The Defence Minister spoke only of an invitation. But, as the German newspaper notes, Umierov made it clear that sanctions could be imposed in case of non-fulfilment of the request.
We are still discussing what will happen if they do not come voluntarily, Welt quoted Umierov.
The head of the Ministry of Defense emphasized that fairness is essential in the food mobilization of troops. What matters is how the military will be trained and equipped, where and when they will serve, when they will be demobilized. According to Umierov, conscripts will also have options depending on their abilities.
We want justice for all because it concerns our own country. We will send them an invitation, he added.
The Minister of Defense made it clear that he has no sympathy for those who refuse military service:
This is not a punishment for standing up for your country and serving your country. It's an honor.
German publications note that since February 24, 2022, 221,571 Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 have arrived in Germany. Of these, 189,484 are currently in the country.
Mobilization in Ukraine
In Ukraine, mobilization has been going on since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Recently, the country's authorities decided to change how it is conducted. The Verkhovna Rada is drafting a bill that includes military initiatives.
On December 20, at his final press conference, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the General Staff had announced an additional mobilization of 450-500,000 people.
The Commander-in-Chief and the General Staff have asked for mobilisation at the staff level. This is a sensitive issue. They asked for the defence of our country and possible countermeasures to the deficit. And their position was that they proposed to mobilise an additional 450-500 thousand people, the Head of State said.
