In a bid to strengthen its defenses against Russia's invasion, Ukraine has tightened pressure on men of call-up age living abroad by suspending their consular services. The move comes as part of a wider overhaul of the country's mobilization rules aimed at bolstering its armed forces.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba made the announcement on social media, stating that the suspension was necessary to "restore fair attitudes" towards conscription. Kuleba emphasized that protecting Ukraine from destruction was the main priority, and that staying abroad did not exempt citizens from their duties to the homeland.

Under the new law signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, all men between the ages of 18 and 60 must register with Ukraine's military and carry their registration documents at all times. This measure aims to streamline and increase transparency in the recruitment process. Additionally, Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60 living overseas will be required to present up-to-date registration documents when renewing their passports.

However, one contentious aspect of the law is the absence of provisions for demobilization of soldiers who have served for extended periods. This omission has sparked outrage among family members of servicemen. Following the law's passage, protests erupted outside Ukraine's parliament, demanding the inclusion of mobilization deadlines.

The new law aims to expand the pool of available personnel for Ukraine's defense forces. President Zelensky suggested that Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines were being outnumbered by a ratio of 10 to 1 in favor of Russia. Last year, the leader of Zelensky's political faction in parliament stated that the military was seeking an additional half million servicemen and women. However, the Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrsyki, recently indicated that the increase in numbers would likely be lower than anticipated.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide further guidance on the procedure for obtaining consular services in the days leading up to the law's implementation on May 18, as well as afterward. Ukraine is taking comprehensive measures to strengthen its military capabilities and enhance national security in the face of ongoing aggression from Russia.