Ukraine limits help for men of fighting age abroad
By James Waterhouse in Kyiv & Paul Kirby in London
Ukraine is suspending consular services for male citizens aged 18 to 60 abroad as part of a drive to beef up numbers joining the military.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said protecting the rights of Ukrainians was still key but “the main priority is to protect our homeland from destruction” during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Russia has a big advantage in numbers and weapons on the battlefield.
Kyiv recently lowered the age of mobilisation from 27 to 25.
After “inviting” Ukrainian men abroad to return home last December, it seems the government wants to apply more pressure, by denying them potentially vital services overseas.
With the recent passing of the controversial new mobilisation law, Kyiv seems to be past the point of caring about unpopular decisions.
Mr Kuleba wrote on social media that “fair attitudes” would be restored for Ukrainian men of military age both at home and abroad.
He complained that at the moment it appeared that men of conscription age were leaving their country, then expecting to receive services from the state: “It does not work this way. Our country is at war.”
