Poland, Lithuania vow to repatriate Ukrainians subject to military draft as Kyiv struggles with personnel deficit

As the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate, Poland and Lithuania have pledged to help the Ukrainian authorities by returning men who are subjected to military conscription to the country.

The decision came just days after Ukraine announced that it would be suspending consular services for such men who are now seeking refuge abroad.

“We have suggested for a long time that we can help the Ukrainian side ensure that people subject to [compulsory] military service go to Ukraine,” Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s defence minister, told the local television channel Polsat.

However, he did not elaborate on what mechanisms would be incorporated to do so. Meanwhile, his Lithuanian counterpart, Laurynas Kasčiūnas noted that his country is willing to make similar efforts.

More from World

This Week in Explainers: How recovering from Gen-Z protests is a Himalayan task for Nepal Zohran Mamdani says he would arrest Netanyahu if he is elected as NYC mayor, calls Israeli PM 'war criminal'

“Ukraine is very short of mobilisation reserve … This is not fair to those citizens who are fighting for their country,” he said on Thursday.

Ukraine faces a shortage of soldiers

Throughout the course of the war, the conflict-stricken nation is struggling to overcome a huge equipment and personnel deficit in comparison with Russian troops at the frontline. In light of this, the parliament passed a new law on mobilisation, which lowers the age at which men can be called up to join forces from 27 to 25.

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian foreign ministry announced that it would be suspending consular services for men subject to the draft who are currently living abroad. Shortly after the announcement, there were waves of outrage at consular offices and agencies in Poland.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

‘The cries of this widow will echo’: In first public remarks, Erika Kirk warns Charlie’s killers they’ve ‘unleashed a fire’

Trump urges Nato to back sanctions on Russia, calls for 50–100% tariffs on China

The Ukrainian men who had booked appointments to pick up documents were told they could not do so, causing even more resentment.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba insisted that it is “unacceptable” for the Ukrainian men outside the country to “sit down in restaurants, while others are dying”. He emphasised that the move was partially taken to demonstrate fairness to those who are struggling at the forefront.

“They don’t understand why the government is not trying to bring more people into the war effort,” the Kuleba told The Guardian. 

Amid the chaos, the Polish parliament is due to consider new regulations next week, which would require all Ukrainians to show their passports to enjoy Polish benefits. Before this, the Ukrainian refugees had been able to do so by just showing any other documents to prove their identity.

“The draft text we have seen would cut around 80% of benefits for people without passports,” Kołodziej said. With this, there may also be questions about whether people without passports can work legally or not. “If it will be impossible to get a passport, many of these people may ask for asylum,” Kołodziej added.

It is pertinent to note that the Polish government have remained Ukraine’s most vocal backers in the European Union. However, there has been growing evidence of “Ukraine fatigue” in Polish society as the war drags on.

“I think many Poles are outraged when they see young Ukrainian men in hotels and cafes, and they hear how much effort we have to make to help Ukraine,” Kosiniak-Kamysz averred.

With inputs from agencies.