Lithuania will not return men of military age to Ukraine: however, there is one caveat

Lithuania will not expel Ukrainians who evade from service/Collage 24 Channel

For a long time now, there have been discussions about the possible return of its citizens liable for military service to Ukraine. Lithuania has also spoken out on this issue.

The head of the Lithuanian government, Ingrida Simonyte, firmly denies that her country will facilitate the sending of Ukrainian men of military age to the territory of our state. However, it will not do without restrictions.

There is one “but”

The Prime Minister of Lithuania noted that the European Union guaranteed protection to Ukrainian citizens, including men. This will last until at least March 2025. She noted that there are no plans to specifically look for those who evade service.

“We will not organize deportations or search for Ukrainian men in the country, because this would be illegal,” the official said.

However, as Ingrida Simonyte said, if Kiev still can prove that a man is evading military service, he may be denied a permanent residence permit in the country.

According to her, in this way she “seeks to help Ukraine guarantee that it has the potential to renew its Armed Forces and allow people who have been fighting for a long time to rest. whether the citizen of Ukraine fulfilled his mobilization duty or received an exemption from conscription before continuing his residence permit.

What they say about this in other countries

• The head of the Foreign Ministry of the federal state of Hesse said that state governments should help Ukraine with the return of men of military age who went abroad after a full-scale Russian invasion.
• Poland and other EU countries are discussing the possibility of returning Ukrainian men of military age. The country's Minister of Defense Vladislav Kosinyak-Kamysh emphasized the need to make a joint decision.
• Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna said that Ukraine will not forcibly return from abroad, men of military age.
• The US State Department also spoke out regarding Ukraine’s attempt to return military men home to defend the Motherland. Department officials noted that Washington has no decision or official position.