Lithuania can help Ukraine in returning men liable for military service - Defense Minister
Photo: Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas (flickr.com)
Lithuania may help Ukraine in returning men of military age. However, it will first wait to see how this procedure will be carried out in Poland, according to Delfi.
Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas admits that Vilnius needs to think about how to help Ukraine return men of military age who have left the country. At the same time, the Minister adds that Lithuania is not yet considering specific measures and is watching what decisions Poland will make on this issue.
“The direction is right. It is probably difficult to say what measures it will turn into. Perhaps, we will have to talk about it specifically,” Kasčiūnas says.
He emphasizes that no one would gather Ukrainian men and take them to Ukraine.
“But (it is possible to restrict these people) in social payments, work permits, documents - these are options, as I hear from the Polish side. So let's wait and see what option they will offer, perhaps it will be suitable for Lithuania as well,” the Minister says.
Background
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has imposed a ban on sending foreign passports and passports of Ukrainian citizens abroad.
Ukrainian male citizens aged 18 to 60 will no longer be able to obtain a passport while outside the country.
On April 23, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine also restricted the provision of consular services to men aged 18-60 who are abroad. This was explained by the new law on mobilization, which will come into force on May 18, 2024.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that this is a temporary step. They promise to resume the provision of services after the law comes into force but take into account its requirements.
