Ukraine’s Defense Ministry contradicts defense minister’s comments on plans to draft Ukrainian men living abroad
In interviews, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told Die Welt, Bild, and Politico that in 2024, his department plans to recruit Ukrainian men between the ages of 25 and 60 who currently live abroad.
According to Die Welt, Umerov talked about an “invitation” to join the army but made it clear that repercussions would follow for those who do not respond.
Later, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s press service effectively disavowed Umerov's words, stating that "there is no discussion of conscription from abroad on the agenda." "If Ukrainian citizens abroad want to join [the army], they come to Ukraine and join," the press service elaborated.
In his end-of-year press conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had not yet approved the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff’s suggestion of mobilizing another 400,000-500,000 people, since they don’t yet have a clear picture of the rotations and leaves of absence for active military personnel.
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