A decision was made in Germany: Ukrainian men must go to Ukraine to renew their passports and complete mandatory military service
The decision of the government of the state of Hesse in Germany to limit the ability of Ukrainian men of draft age to obtain documents on the territory of Germany caused a significant response.
Ukrainian men of military age who are in Germany have faced new restrictions regarding the renewal of their foreign passports. If their foreign passport expires, they are now forced to return to Ukraine to renew it. This decision was adopted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the state of Hesse, which emphasizes the need to return Ukrainian men to Ukraine to perform military duties.
The German publication Tagesspiegel reports that Ukrainian men of conscription age will not be able to obtain temporary documents in Hessen, which would replace their foreign passports. The immigration authorities of Hessen, as a rule, will not issue German documents to replace the foreign documents of Ukrainian men of conscription age. The Ministry recommends that they go to Ukraine to renew their passports and undergo mandatory military service.
“Hessian immigration authorities will not normally issue German documents to replace foreign documents to Ukrainian men of conscription age. It is reasonable for them to go to Ukraine to obtain a passport and complete compulsory military service.” – noted in the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Hessen.
About 20,000 Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 live on the territory of Hessen. This decision may affect many of them, because they risk being left without the possibility of a legal stay in Germany without valid documents.
At the same time, the portal for the provision of administrative services of Hessen states that German documents, which will be an analogue of a foreign passport, can be issued only in exceptional circumstances. In particular, if a person can prove that he does not have a passport and cannot renew it. However, such decisions will be considered individually, which creates additional difficulties for Ukrainians.
Many Ukrainians may be forced to return home to renew their documents, which could increase the number of conscripts into the army. It may also affect families who have settled in Germany, forcing them to be separated indefinitely.
Ukrainians living in Hessen are an important part of the local community. Their forced return may affect the economic and social situation in the region.
