Official Kyiv did not send a request to the Polish authorities regarding the return of Ukrainian men of conscription age, noting that estimates of their number in Poland are approximate. The Ambassador of Ukraine, Vasyl Zvarych, replied that currently Kyiv has not asked the Polish side for help in transporting citizens with expired documents.
"Let's wait. I think everything will go well, without panic," he said.
In response to questions about Berlin's decision regarding Ukrainian citizens with invalid passports, Zvarych noted that this issue is sovereign for each country.
"We cannot force anyone. For us, the most important thing is that the implementation of the act on mobilization is effective and transparent, so that everyone knows what it is about. That is why we are working to explain to our citizens what it is all about," the ambassador added.
Zvarych emphasized that people "have nothing to fear", and emphasized that estimates of the number of Ukrainian men of conscription age in Poland are "very approximate".
"According to our estimates, there are tens of thousands of such persons in Poland alone. But we will be sure when this law is implemented, and everyone will be able to confirm their data at collection points," he noted.
When asked whether men should return to Ukraine to register for military service, the ambassador said that it is not necessary.
"We have temporarily stopped accepting new applications from men of draft age in order to prepare technically. When the new law comes into force, everyone will know how to update their data. There is an idea that it can be done remotely," Zvarych concluded.
We will remind that Ukrainian men of conscription age abroad have limited access to consular services. Home Affairs, Migration and Homeland Security spokeswoman Anita Hipper said the European Commission had taken note, but had not issued any strong statements.
