Poland awaits Ukraine's initiative on repatriating men from abroad
Photo: Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski (Getty Images)
Poland believes that Ukraine should take the initiative to repatriate men of draft age from abroad, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski.
"Ukraine really needs to take the initiative here, because for us, it's an ethically ambiguous issue. Though, of course, we understand that Ukraine needs its defenders to protect its Homeland," he said.
The Polish Foreign Minister noted that he is currently unaware of the ideas Ukraine is considering for repatriating men home. However, Sikorski called the initiative to limit consular services "interesting."
"Previously, in December, when I was in Kyiv shortly after my appointment, the Ukrainian side spoke a little differently, but in the same direction. Namely, that they would have a certificate for their citizens stating that they have settled their military service, and they asked at the EU level not to provide social benefits to people who do not have such a certificate. An interesting idea," he added.
Preceding this
In Ukraine, passports were prohibited from being issued to men aged 18 to 60 outside the country. Also, from April 23, the provision of consular services abroad was restricted.
The government explains this by the new law on mobilization. Consular services will resume on May 18, when the law comes into effect, but taking into account the new conditions.
In Poland, it was also suggested that they could help Ukraine repatriate men of draft age. Although later, the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs promised to provide temporary protection to Ukrainian refugees without passports.
