Lithuania’s defense minister has said his country will follow in Poland’s footsteps and help Ukraine get military-aged men back home to help in the war effort.
Laurynas Kasčiūnas told reporters on Thursday that he thought it was the right thing to do, though the details have yet to be worked out.
“Of course, we’ll still need the Interior Ministry’s position on this, but I think this is the right way. Let’s see if they can come up with a solution that will be suitable for Lithuania,” the lrt.it website quoted him as saying.
His comments followed statements by Poland’s defense minister, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who said Warsaw was ready to help Kyiv get fighting-age men back home.
Kasčiūnas said Poland might restrict social benefits to men subject to mobilization, as well as limiting the availability of work permits, but would not be detaining and deporting people in large numbers.
“Ukraine is very short of mobilization reserve – those military-age citizens who have left the country,” Kasčiūnas said. “This is not fair to those citizens who are fighting for their country.”
Ukraine has lowered the conscription age from 27 to 25 and suspended consular services for men aged 18 to 60 living abroad, in an attempt to encourage them to return to their country.
“Of course, we’ll still need the Interior Ministry’s position on this, but I think this is the right way. Let’s see if they can come up with a solution that will be suitable for Lithuania,” the lrt.it website quoted him as saying.
His comments followed statements by Poland’s defense minister, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who said Warsaw was ready to help Kyiv get fighting-age men back home.
Kasčiūnas said Poland might restrict social benefits to men subject to mobilization, as well as limiting the availability of work permits, but would not be detaining and deporting people in large numbers.
“Ukraine is very short of mobilization reserve – those military-age citizens who have left the country,” Kasčiūnas said. “This is not fair to those citizens who are fighting for their country.”
Ukraine has lowered the conscription age from 27 to 25 and suspended consular services for men aged 18 to 60 living abroad, in an attempt to encourage them to return to their country.
Source: lrt.it, BBC
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