In a bid to bolster its military forces, Ukraine is considering inviting Ukrainian men aged between 25 and 60 who are living abroad to report for military service. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov announced the plan, describing it as an "invitation," but hinted at possible sanctions for non-compliance. However, a spokesperson later clarified that no call-up was being considered.

President Zelensky acknowledged the need for additional soldiers, stating that Ukraine requires 450,000-500,000 new troops. However, he acknowledged that this issue is sensitive. The urgency to expand the military comes as Ukraine's recent counter-offensive has hit a roadblock.

According to an analysis conducted by BBC Ukrainian using figures from EU statistics agency Eurostat, approximately 768,000 Ukrainian men aged 18-64 have departed for the EU since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. It's important to note that this figure excludes Ukrainian citizens residing outside the EU or those living abroad before February 2022.

Minister Umerov, who spoke to media outlets Die Welt, Bild, and Politico, emphasized that the recruitment drive is not meant as a punishment but as an honor. He noted ongoing discussions on what actions would be taken if individuals do not join voluntarily. However, a ministry spokesperson later denied any coercion and stated that the minister's remarks were misinterpreted.

The spokesperson, Illarion Pavlyuk, clarified that there is no discussion to call up individuals living abroad. Instead, the minister is urging all Ukrainian citizens, regardless of their location, to join the army. Pavlyuk emphasized that the threat to Ukraine persists, even for Ukrainians living abroad.

Currently, there are no recruitment centers outside Ukraine, and the authorities lack the means to enforce attendance. The defense minister stressed the importance of fairness, ensuring that mobilized men are well-informed about their training, equipment, and service duration.

President Zelensky disclosed during his recent news conference that there are currently 500,000 Ukrainian troops deployed at the front. In comparison, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that 617,000 Russian troops are participating in the so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine.

As Ukraine approaches the second anniversary of Russia's invasion, little appears to be changing on the ground. Ukraine, however, aims to demonstrate its proper utilization of reconstruction aid despite the country's high corruption levels.

As the discussion on recruiting men living abroad for military service continues, Ukraine seeks to address its pressing need for additional troops. The outcome of these deliberations remains to be seen as Ukraine navigates the complexities of its security challenges.