Ukraine may suspend provision of consular services to men of mobilization age in foreign diplomatic offices - FM

MOSCOW. April 23 (Interfax) - Ukraine may suspend the provision of consular services abroad to Ukrainian citizens of mobilization age, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said.

He instructed the Foreign Ministry to provide specified explanations on the procedure for receiving consular services under the legislation for men of mobilization age in foreign diplomatic offices, Ukrainian media reported, citing the minister's post on social media.

Kuleba noted that he links his instruction with the upcoming date of entry into force of the law on amendments to a number of Ukrainian legislative acts on certain issues of military service, mobilization and military registration. This law was passed by the Verkhovna Rada, signed by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, published and will take effect on May 7.

"How it looks like now: a man of conscription age went abroad, and then comes and wants to receive services from this state. It does not work that way. If these people think that someone will stay abroad, but at the same time he will receive services from this state, this is not how it works," Kuleba said.

He noted that staying abroad does not relieve a citizen of his duties.

"That is why I instructed taking measures to restore fair treatment of men of mobilization age in Ukraine and abroad. It will be fair," Kuleba said.