Poland is ready to help Ukraine bring young people home to join the army

On April 24, the Ukrainian government issued new regulations, only issuing passports to male citizens of military age in the country, instead of issuing them at diplomatic facilities abroad. Therefore, Ukrainian men aged 18-59 living abroad will not be able to renew their passports or apply for a new passport.

Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on the same day that the country is ready to help Ukraine bring male citizens of military age back to the country to perform military service and participate in the fight against Russia.

“I think many Poles are angry when they see young Ukrainians in hotels and cafes, while knowing how much effort we have to make to help Kiev,” Mr. Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

Poland’s Defense Minister affirmed that the country will support if Ukraine offers to help bring home male citizens of fighting age, when these people may lose the right to stay in Poland after their passports expire.

The European Union’s (EU) data analysis agency Eurostat said that as of January, there were about 4.3 million Ukrainians living in EU countries, of which about 860,000 were adult men. Poland has granted temporary protection status to 950,000 Ukrainian citizens living in the country since the outbreak of hostilities.

Lack of fighting manpower is a difficult problem for Ukraine, as many young people refuse to enlist, while forces on the front lines are suffering heavy losses and have no rest after more than two years of continuous fighting. . Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently signed a law lowering the military enlistment age from 27 to 25, in order to increase mobilization of troops for the front lines.

Ngoc Anh (According to Reuters)