Ukraine has not asked Poland for help in returning men liable for military service, ambassador says

Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Vasyl Zvarych announced that the Ukrainian government has not approached Poland regarding the return of Ukrainian men of conscription age. Source: European Pravda, citing Zvarych in an interview with TVN 24 The ambassador spoke about the impact of the updated law on the mobilisation of Ukrainian citizens abroad, which will come into effect on 18 May.

Asked if Ukraine would need assistance transporting citizens whose documents expire, the ambassador replied that Kyiv had not yet approached the Polish side with such a request. 

"Let's wait and see. I think everything will go smoothly, without panic," the ambassador said. In response to Berlin's decision to allow Ukrainian men of conscription age to remain in Germany with expired passports, the diplomat noted that "this is the sovereign decision of each country on how to treat citizens of other countries."

"We cannot force anything. Our main priority is for implementing the mobilisation act to be effective and transparent, so everyone knows what it entails. Therefore, we are working to clarify to our citizens what it involves," Zvarych said, adding that people "have nothing to fear." 

He emphasised that the current estimates regarding the number of Ukrainian men of conscription age in Poland are "very approximate."  "According to our estimates, there are only tens of thousands of conscription-age men in Poland. But we will be sure when this law is implemented and when everyone can confirm their personal data at collection points," the ambassador said. 

When asked if men would need to return to Ukraine to join the military registry, the ambassador replied that it's not necessary.  "We have temporarily suspended the acceptance of new applications from conscription-age men to prepare technically. When the new law comes into effect, everyone will know how to update their data.

There is an idea that this could be done remotely," Zvarych said.

Background:

• Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education Dariusz Wieczorek said he wanted to consult with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding how changes in the mobilisation law would affect Ukrainian students in Poland.
• Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said that the Polish government will consider Ukraine's decision to suspend consular services for men aged 18-60 years in the general decision to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens, which is at the preparation stage now.

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