Calling up men from abroad: Defense Ministry clarifies statement
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The Ministry of Defense clarified the statement of Minister Rustem Umerov, which was disseminated by the German WELT and Bild media outlets. They noted that there is no discussion of conscription of men from abroad on the agenda, according to the statement of Ilarion Pavliuk, the head of the press and information department of the Ministry of Defense, in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
"There is no discussion of conscription from abroad on the agenda. If Ukrainian citizens abroad want to join (the army - ed.), they come to Ukraine and join," he told the publication.
Background
Today the German WELT and Bild media outlets published an interview with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
The media quoted the minister as saying that the Ministry of Defense is allegedly planning to call up Ukrainians from abroad. It was about men aged 25-60.
It was also noted that it was an invitation, and anyone who did not fulfill this requirement would allegedly face sanctions, which are still being discussed. WELT and Bild quoted Umerov as saying: "We are still discussing what will happen if they [the men] do not come voluntarily."
It should be added that Ukraine is currently working on changes to the rules of mobilization, military registration, and military service. RBC-Ukraine wrote in its report of possible innovations.
