Ukraine Enforces Travel Restrictions on US-Ukrainian Dual Citizens amid Conflict

Ukraine Enforces Travel Restrictions on US-Ukrainian Dual Citizens amid Conflict

Ukraine Forbids Dual Citizens from Leaving Amidst Conflict, Warns US Embassy

US-Ukrainian Dual Citizens May Be Stopped from Leaving Ukraine

The US Embassy in Ukraine has recently issued an unusual and somewhat unexpected warning: Under Ukraine's new mobilization law, US-Ukrainian dual citizens may be stopped from leaving Ukraine. This comes as a result of the martial law that was implemented following the invasion in February 2022, which prevents Ukrainian males aged between 18 and 60 from leaving the country. Previously, exceptions were made for dual US-Ukrainian nationals, but a recent amendment to the national law means that Americans could now be conscripted and potentially sent to the front lines.

Ukraine's Government Doesn't Recognize Dual Citizenship

The US Embassy in Kyiv announced on Tuesday that, effective from June 1, Ukraine has removed a 'residence abroad' exception that previously allowed certain Ukrainian males aged 18 to 60 to leave the country. This essentially means that the government of Ukraine does not recognize dual citizenship. As a result of this change, US-Ukrainian dual citizens, including those residing in the United States, may no longer be able to leave Ukraine.

US State Department's Stance on the Issue

While this change in policy comes amidst the growing desperation of Kiev authorities to find new manpower, it appears that the US State Department is going to stand back and let it happen. The Embassy explained in its message that its ability to influence Ukrainian law, including the application of martial law and the mobilization law to Ukrainian citizens, is limited. This comes at a time when American taxpayers are funding billions into the Zelensky government.

Advice for Dual US-Ukrainian Nationals

Surprisingly, the embassy further advises all dual US-Ukrainian nationals still in the country to "shelter in place and obey all local orders." The Embassy also strongly advises against all travel to Ukraine by US citizen males aged 18 to 60 who also have Ukrainian citizenship or a claim to Ukrainian citizenship and who do not wish to stay in Ukraine indefinitely. There is an extremely high risk that they will not be allowed to depart, even with a US passport.

The Manpower Crisis in Ukraine's Armed Forces

Regarding the severe manpower crisis among Ukraine's armed forces, the Washington Post recently highlighted that combat commanders say newly-mobilized soldiers are arriving at the front lines so poorly-trained and clueless that they can't even disassemble their weapons. One soldier described his basic training as "complete nonsense... everything is learned on the spot [at the front lines]." An officer who'd trained recruits said their rifle training was limited to just 20 rounds per soldier.

Recruitment Officers Grabbing Young Men for Conscription

Videos have long circulated of recruitment officers grabbing young men in public for conscription. It appears that the military is simply grabbing any man it can, and soon even Americans (dual citizens) caught walking Ukraine's streets. Ukraine's military is faring so poorly in places like Kharkiv oblast that young men fear that being sent to front line positions is essentially a death sentence.

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