US warns dual nationals could be trapped in Ukraine under mobilization law

The U.S. Embassy in Kiev is warning dual U.S.-Ukrainian citizens that they will no longer be able to leave the war-torn country if they would otherwise be eligible for conscription.

Under Ukraine’s martial law, men aged 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country, but dual nationals have previously managed to circumvent this rule by deregistering their Ukrainian residence before leaving and registering your residence in the USA.

However, as of June 1, Ukraine has eliminated this “foreign residency” loophole and dual nationals now face “an extremely high risk of not being allowed to leave, even with a US passport,” he said. the US embassy. he said in a statement released Tuesday.

“Ukrainian law does not recognize dual citizenship. U.S.-Ukrainian dual nationals are therefore treated exclusively as Ukrainian citizens while in Ukraine and are subject to the rights and obligations of Ukrainian citizens,” the notice said.

The US embassy said it is “limited” in its ability to influence Ukrainian law or Kiev’s efforts to recruit citizens into its armed forces amid the war with Russia.

For dual nationals not currently in Ukraine “who do not wish to remain in Ukraine indefinitely,” the U.S. embassy has advised against all travel to the country.

“If you are in Ukraine and cannot leave the country, shelter in place and obey all local orders,” the US embassy advised.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in April signed the controversial mobilization law that aims to boost the country’s depleted forces as it fights Russia.

The country has taken other steps to increase recruitment, including not allowing men of fighting age to renew passports from outside Ukraine.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story