Zelenskyy: return of conscription-age Ukrainians from abroad is a matter of fairness

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said men of conscription age who have left the country, including unlawfully, should return to Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

Quote from Zelenskyy: "As regards young people who are currently not in Ukraine but abroad. First of all, there are different groups of young people. I agree with you regarding those of conscription age who left Ukraine. They left temporarily, but ended up staying for years. Many of them left in breach of Ukrainian law. The relevant authorities in both countries should address this issue."

Details: Zelenskyy said the return of men of mobilisation age to Ukraine is "a matter of fairness" and of the law.

He added: "Our Armed Forces would certainly like them [men of conscription age – ed.] to return. Because it is a matter of fairness. We have people, soldiers on the front lines, who need rotations. Although Ukrainian soldiers are as strong as iron, let's be honest: they have families; they are defending their homes, and not only that, but the entire state. But every person who is a citizen of Ukraine, who has the capacity to do so, must bear responsibility. It is both a constitutional duty and a matter tied to conscription age."

Background:

• On 25 March, Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said the Ministry of Defence team is preparing changes to the mobilisation process, decisions on absence without leave from units, and specific approaches for assault troops and infantry regarding terms of service and financial support.
• Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry stressed that claims that the mobilisation process would move to an updated administrative stage from 1 April are not true.

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