Official Kyiv has not sent a request to the Polish authorities regarding the return of Ukrainian men of draft age, noting that estimates regarding their number in Poland are approximate. Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych responded that Kyiv has not yet asked the Polish side for assistance in transporting citizens with expired documents.
“Let's wait. I think everything will go well, no panic,” he said.
In response to a question 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 main thing is that the implementation of the mobilization act is effective and transparent, so that everyone knows what it is about. Therefore, we are working to explain to our citizens what it is about," the ambassador added.
Zvarych emphasized that people “have nothing to fear,” and stressed that estimates of the number of Ukrainian men of draft age in Poland are “very approximate.”.
“According to our estimates, there are tens of thousands of such people in Poland alone. But we will be sure when this law is implemented and everyone will be able to confirm their data at the collection points,” he noted.
When asked whether the men have to return to Ukraine to register for military service, the ambassador noted that this is not mandatory.
“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 this can be done remotely,” Zvarych concluded.
Recall that Ukrainian men of military age abroad have had their access to consular services restricted. Spokesperson for Home Affairs, Migration and Internal Security Anita Gipper said that the European Commission has taken note of this, but has not issued any harsh statements.
