Countries have made their position clear regarding mobilization: Croatia and Romania will provide shelter to Ukrainians fleeing from the war. However, these countries will not assist the Ukrainian government in mobilizing men of conscription age who reside on their territory.
This was stated by the State Secretary for European Affairs of Croatia, Andreja Metelko-Zgombić. She confirmed that Croatia had offered shelter to Ukrainians fleeing from Russian aggression. However, according to her, it is up to the Ukrainian government to decide how to deal with this issue.
“Now it is truly Ukraine’s matter to decide how to strengthen recruitment (to the army) of individuals currently outside the country,” said Andreja Metelko-Zgombić.
At the same time, the State Secretary of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Daniela Grigore Gotman, also noted that her country would not be able to help the Ukrainian government in this matter.
“We will not participate in this conscription campaign, as we have already mentioned, because it is the decision of the Ukrainian government and the citizens who are refugees in our country to join or not join the war,” she said.
Ukraine wants to bring men back from abroad
In April 2024, a decision was made that men aged 18 to 60 would temporarily not be able to receive consular services. At the same time, no mention was made of assistance in case of emergencies.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called this decision fair. While some men defend Ukraine in the trenches, others hope to sit out in the territories of other countries, while still receiving Ukrainian services. Kuleba emphasized that Ukrainians abroad are not exempt from their duties. There is no mention of forced repatriation.
