The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv this week warned American dual-citizens that they may be unable to leave the country and could face conscription in light of Ukraine's elimination of a "residence abroad" exception to its draft.
Ukraine does not recognize dual citizenship and solely recognizes those with Ukrainian citizenship as Ukrainian, even if they hold citizenship in other nations. Accordingly, the elimination of the exception for means that American-Ukrainian dual citizens in Ukraine may not be permitted to leave and could theoretically be forced to fight against the Russian invasion.
"The U.S. Embassy is limited in our ability to influence Ukrainian law, including the application of martial law and the mobilization law to Ukrainian citizens. If you are in Ukraine and cannot leave the country, shelter in place and obey all local orders," the embassy warned.
"If you are not currently in Ukraine, we strongly recommend against all travel to Ukraine by U.S. 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," it continued. "There is an extremely high risk you will not be allowed to depart, even with a U.S. passport."
Ukraine is currently facing manpower shortages at the front and has struggled to contend with Russian advances along its eastern frontiers, especially in light of a recent Russian return to the Kharkiv region, which has widened the front considerably.
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