Poland and Lithuania have announced their intention to aid Ukraine in the repatriation of Ukrainian men subject to military conscription, following Ukraine’s decision to halt consular services for these individuals living abroad. This announcement was made by Poland’s Defence Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and echoed by Lithuania’s Defence Minister, Laurynas Kasčiūnas. The decision by Ukraine, which involves lowering the conscription age and suspending passport services for military-age men abroad, is aimed at reinforcing its military capabilities in the face of ongoing conflict with Russia.

In response, Ukraine has implemented a temporary regulation barring military-age men (aged 18 to 60) from applying for passports outside the country; instead, they will only be issued within Ukraine. This has sparked concern among the sizable Ukrainian communities in countries such as Poland, with fears regarding the specificity and enforcement of these new measures.

The developments have also led to discussions about the sustainability of support for Ukraine in host countries, with Poland experiencing a shift in public sentiment and signs of “Ukraine fatigue.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the necessity of these tough measures to strengthen Ukraine against the “Russian war machine.” Meanwhile, the practical and legal aspects of these repatriation efforts, as well as their broader implications, remain subjects of ongoing debate and concern among affected communities.