Estonia, Germany, say it will not deport Ukrainian men, as Poland considers it to bolster conscription crisis

Voice of Europe
Tue, 30 Apr 2024 14:09 UTC

© Sputnik / Sergey Pivovarov

Passports of Russia, Donetsk People’s Republic and Ukraine.

The Estonian Ministry of the Interior has announced its decision not to deport Ukrainian men of conscription age back to Ukraine if their passports expire. This decision applies to those who are legally residing in the country.

Anneli Viks, an advisor in the Citizenship and Migration Policy Department of the Estonian Ministry of the Interior, emphasized that the issue of mobilization is a matter of the state and its citizens. She also added that the Ministry of the Interior does not plan to forcibly repatriate citizens of Ukraine who legally reside in Estonia.

At present, approximately 6,500 Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 have permission to reside in Estonia based on temporary protection.

Viks also noted that the lack of a valid passport will not hinder the application for or renewal of a residence permit. However, foreigners will not be able to apply for a visa without a valid travel document.

This news comes amidst discussions of a similar situation in Germany, where it was also announced that Ukrainians can remain in the country even with expired passports.

Comment: Meanwhile Poland has suggested it will deport Ukrainian men of 'fighting age' back to their homeland, as the Kiev-junta faces losses of well over 500,000 men. Which is also why the military requirements have been relaxed to the point where middle age men with physical disabilities are now considered eligible.