Where the problem of MFA decision on restrictions on consular services for Ukrainian men abroad lies

As of 23 April 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (Ukrainian government), under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has banned the issuance of Ukrainian passports, either internal or for international travel, to Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60. Te Centers SE Document abroad have completely ceased to serve all Ukrainians over 12 years old. The government assures that the restrictions are temporary.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has explained its decision by the adoption of the mobilization law.

The main reason to restrict the consular services for men, which will be introduced by law, is the matter of fairness.

However, the state actions have sparked significant public debate. Read more in the article by Olena Babakova, a Ukrainian journalist in Poland and European Pravda's author – Justice that harms. Consequences of the decision to "punish" Ukrainians abroad.

The decision to suspend consular services for men aged 18-60 is driven by a huge demand for justice within Ukraine. As comments show, such a decision at least temporarily satisfies this demand.

But it also reinforces the division between "those who are here" and "those who are there." Let alone the decision is communicated very poorly. So poorly that it couldn't be worse.

This is not the first step by Zelenskyy's team that sets Ukrainians against the Ukrainian diaspora.

All governments have perceived Ukrainian migrants in a pretty arrogant way.

The root of the problem lies in the fact that the Ukrainian authorities still do not understand why people migrate, how they live beyond their country of origin and how to effectively use their resources.

The life situation of Ukrainian migrants and the intensity of their ties with Ukraine can vary greatly.

Nevertheless, representatives of all groups have been quite active in backing Ukraine, engaging in volunteering and fundraising. And to a large extent, this was ensured by the fact that although the Motherland offered these migrants nothing, it also did not demand anything from them.

Changing the status quo can lead not to a reaction of "taking care more about the Motherland" but only to "taking care more about oneself."

No, migrants, of course, do not live worse than people in Kharkiv or Zaporizhzhia. But there is such a thing as emigration load, the routine in a new country without the social ties that supported you from childhood. Such a burden consumes a lot of effort and time.

The lack of valid documents created by the state destroys an already unstable structure.

The actions of the Ukrainian authorities, especially in such a chaotic format, create problems not only for migrants but also for host countries. Everyone needs working hands, not thousands of people who have fallen out of the legal labour market, healthcare system, education, etc. The actions of the capitals will be different.

I would risk saying that this decision, from the EU's standpoint, did not show that Kyiv is doing everything to win, but rather created another problem.

But there will be no deportations or "escort" of men to Ukraine from the EU.

It violates the law and the interests of businesses in host countries.

And the statements of individual European officials that they will be able to return men to Ukraine – like the one made by Polish Defence Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz – are just nonsense.

I don't know what the right thing to do in this situation is. The demand for solidarity responsibility for the country is honest and understandable. But if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' goal was also to increase the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, then the chosen tool will not lead to that.

Instead, we got another internal strife.