Divided by duty: Ukraine's mobilisation law sparks controversy abroad

Ukrainians abroad have reacted negatively to the new mobilization law. They find it unacceptable that attempts are being made to force them to return to their country. Those who stayed to defend their homeland against the Russians have a different opinion.

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The Ukrainian government approved on Wednesday rules according to which males aged 18-60, who wish to leave Ukraine or are staying outside Ukraine, will be able to obtain a Ukrainian citizen's passport only in their own country.

Ukrainians who fled the draft abroad claim it is unacceptable that politicians are trying to force them to return to the country. They do not want to return, explaining that they do not want to become "cannon fodder".

Those who stayed to defend their country have a completely different view on the mobilisation actions. "They fled the country and want to receive aid from Poland and other EU countries as Ukrainian citizens. But they don't want to fulfill their civic duties. They don't want to defend their country. It's unfair. Many in Ukraine think so," says a Ukrainian political scientist, Volodymyr Fesenko.

In his view, it is now necessary to closely observe Ukrainian diplomatic posts for emerging corruption.

At this moment, none of the provisions force Ukrainians to return to the country. However, they must set up a so-called electronic conscription account and register at the appropriate military command.

The political scientist does not rule out that the law on this matter will become stricter. "The state wants to know how many people of conscription age and capable of military service it has," he notes.

"The idea of strengthening mobilisation emerged at the end of last year. It was said that there was a need to call up even 500,000 people to the army, but Zelensky criticised it. We couldn't afford it, there are no funds in the budget to cover the costs of mobilising half a million people at the same time. On the front, Russia has an advantage in terms of the number of soldiers. We lack people to carry out rotations, so we need to build reserves," says Fesenko. "Without mobilisation, we'll lose this war," he adds.