A technical failure in Ukrainian passport services abroad coincides with new Ukrainian mobilization legislation. DW spoke to Ukrainians outside of a Ukrainian passport office in Cologne, Germany.

Cologne

**Ukraine Suspends Passport Services for Men Living Abroad Due to Technical Failure Amid New Mobilization Law**

Ukraine has temporarily halted passport services for its male citizens living abroad due to a technical glitch, coinciding with the introduction of new legislation related to mobilization. This situation has left many Ukrainian men, including those outside the Ukrainian passport office in Cologne, Germany, unable to obtain their travel documents. Witnesses reported that men seeking to acquire their passports before the new mobilization law takes effect were unsuccessful, as the passport service faced a technical failure.

The technical issues have impacted all Ukrainians of military age seeking passport services abroad, not just those attempting to evade the draft. For example, Sergei, a Ukrainian who left for Germany legally before the conflict with Russia escalated, found himself and his son unable to retrieve their ready passports due to the malfunction. The new policy from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry mandates that as of May 18th, male citizens abroad must obtain their passports only within Ukraine and are required to register for military service, though the specifics of this process remain unclear.

Legal experts have pointed out that all male Ukrainian citizens, including those who have lived their entire lives outside of Ukraine, are subject to this draft. The German government has yet to make a statement regarding Ukraine's decision to stop providing consular services for these individuals. However, the German Interior Ministry assured that Ukrainian men's refugee status would not be affected by this issue, emphasizing the protection offered to refugees from Ukraine across the European Union due to their flight from the Russian military aggression.

Questions remain on whether Ukrainian men can obtain German documents if their Ukrainian passports expire. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government emphasizes the responsibilities of Ukrainian men, including the duty to protect their country. On a related note, the Polish government has expressed its willingness to assist in the return of Ukrainian men of conscription age when their passports expire, contingent upon a request from Kiev.



Ukraine suspends passport services for men living abroad

The queue outside the Ukrainian passport service in Cologne, Germany. Ukrainian men hid their faces from the camera, trying to get their documents before the new law on mobilization came into force. Without success. The passport office said it was experiencing a technical failure. That meant that not only draft evaders, but all Ukrainians of military age could not obtain documents. Sergei left the country legally, before Russia invaded Ukraine. His son will soon be 17 and plans to study at home. The family would like to go back. Both my sons and my passports are ready, but I cannot get them. In Ukraine they say your passport is in Germany, and in Germany they say we are not giving it to you. The technical problems at Ukrainian passport services abroad coincided with the Foreign Ministry's announcement that men of mobilization age would be able to obtain passports only in Ukraine. Starting on May 18th, all male citizens of Ukraine who are abroad will be required to register for military service. However, it's not yet clear exactly how to do this outside the country and what documents they'll have to submit. Meanwhile, lawyers say all male Ukrainian citizens, including those who have lived abroad since birth, are subject to the draft. The German government has not commented on Kiev's decision to stop providing these consular services. But the Interior Ministry has said that Ukrainian men would not be deprived of refugee status in Germany. I'm confident that this will not affect the status of refugees from Ukraine who need protection, regardless of whether they are women, who are the vast majority of such refugees, or men. This status is valid directly throughout the European Union, precisely because of the flight from the Russian war of aggression. So it should not affect it. But when DW asked whether Ukrainian men could receive German documents with an expired Ukrainian passport, the ministry said this would be announced later. Ukraine's government, meanwhile, says that Ukrainian men have not only rights but also responsibilities, including protecting the state. And Kiev says it is necessary to regulate the situation when many men of military age live abroad. On the other hand, Poland says it will help return Ukrainian men of conscription age when their passports expire, if Kiev requests it.

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is stable but his condition remains serious after undergoing several hours of surgery. Fico was shot five times in the central town of Handlova after he left a government meeting. The assassination attempt shocked the country and drew global condemnation.

Handlová

Slovakia PM in stable condition after surgery

At their bilateral meeting in Beijing, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China stressed their close relationship through economic and military ties even though trade has come down since its peak in 2023. Some analysts say the drop may be related to Chinese banks' fears of U.S. sanctions for technology sales with Russia.

Beijing

Putin, Xi reinforce ties amid U.S. pressure to halt tech sales

A major reinforcement operation is underway to bolster security forces in the French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia. The airlift of police and soldiers follows three nights of protests over electoral reform. Four people have died in the unrest, including a police officer.

France sends forces to New Caledonia amid deadly riots

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would force President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel, seeking to rebuke the Democrat for delaying bomb shipments as he urges Israel to do more to protect civilians during its war with Hamas.

Washington

Israel-Gaza War

U.S. House bill requires Biden to send weapons to Israel

At the former U.S. president's trial on Thursday, Donald Trump's lawyer accused star witness Michael Cohen of lying about a phone conversation he claimed to have had with Trump about a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election.

Manhattan

Trump's lawyer accuses Cohen of lying at hush money trial

Authorities have charged an alleged gunman with the attempted murder of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Following emergency surgery, Fico's condition is now listed as stable but serious.

Banská Bystrica

Alleged gunman charged with Slovak PM's attempted murder

Peter Dutton has announced if the Opposition wins Government it will cut permanent migration numbers in half in an effort to ease the housing supply crisis.

Canberra

Opposition plans to slash foreign arrivals

France has deployed troops to New Caledonia's ports and international airport, banned TikTok and imposed a state of emergency after three nights of clashes that have left four dead and hundreds wounded.

Nouméa

TikTok banned in New Caledonia amid riots

Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin framed their nations' ties as a stabilizing force in a chaotic world as they met in Beijing. It is Putin's first trip abroad since his March re-election and the second in just over six months to China, an economic lifeline for Russia.

Russia's Vladimir Putin meets China's Xi Jinping in Beijing

This week, the U.S. Department of Justice said Boeing did not hold up their end of the bargain after 737 Max crashes and now it's a possibility the company could face charges.

U.S. Justice Department may prosecute Boeing

France declared a state of emergency on the Pacific island of New Caledonia after three young indigenous Kanak and a police official were killed in riots over electoral reform.

France declares state of emergency in New Caledonia

Israel's defense minister publicly challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the country's post-war plans for the Gaza Strip, with Yoav Gallant stressing his opposition of any long-term military rule by Israel in the ravaged Palestinian enclave.

Jerusalem

Israel's defense chief challenges Netanyahu on Gaza

Peter Dutton is set to deliver a budget reply speech, hinting at a focus on migration intake to address the housing crisis. The Coalition expected to propose further cuts to migration numbers and align housing supply with immigration rates.

Opposition wants fewer migrants to ease housing crisis

Former Bulldogs and Tigers Brandon Wakeham has been charged over allegedly supplying large quantities of MDMA and cocaine. The 25-year-old, along with two co-accused arrested by Police and charged with commercial supply of illicit drugs.

Council of the City of Sydney

Former NRL player charged over alleged drug supply

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has been undergoing surgery after being shot in a suspected assassination attempt, as he greeted supporters after a meeting. Five shots were fired at close range, while security scrambled to confront the shooter. The government says the attack, which has left the prime minister in a critical but stable condition, was politically motivated.

Bratislava

Slovakia PM's 'life in danger' after assassination attempt

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping that the Kremlin hopes will deepen a strategic partnership between the two most powerful geopolitical rivals of the United States.

Putin arrives in China, to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing

Ukrainian forces struggle to repel Russian advances near the important city of Kharkiv. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is in Kyiv to highlight $61 billion US in aid and weapons, but some say it comes too late to make a difference.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Concerns U.S. aid for Ukraine arriving too late as Russia advances

Dutch nationalist Geert Wilders said a deal had been reached to form what was set to be the most right-wing government in the Netherlands in decades, almost six months after a major election victory.

Amsterdam

Netherlands set for most right-wing government in years

Firefighters in western Canada are battling the first major wildfires of 2024 after unseasonably warm temperatures and an ongoing drought left forests tinder-dry. The blazes prompted evacuation orders for parts of northern British Columbia and Alberta.

British Columbia

Climate Crisis

Wildfires in western Canada spur large evacuations

Protesters occupying a University of Melbourne building are refusing to move, defying orders by Police and risking arrest. A group of around one-hundred students staging a sit-in to protest the war in Gaza.

Melbourne

Pro-Palestine protesters refuse to leave uni campus

A Sydney council has voted to overturn a controversial same-sex parenting book ban that prompted national outrage. Riot police were called after rival protests gathered outside the council chambers.

Cumberland City Council

Council votes to reverse same-sex parenting book ban

Hundreds of police are scouring northern France for Mohamed Amra, a fugitive known as "The Fly" who was freed by gunmen in a brazen attack against a prison van that killed two guards and wounded three.

Paris

French police search for 'The Fly' after deadly prison van escape

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is battling life-threatening wounds after officials said he was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt condemned by European leaders. The suspected gunman was detained by police.

Slovakian leader critical after assasination attempt

The Cannes Film Festival officially kicked off as celebrities walked the red carpet into the plush Grand Theatre Lumiere to honour Hollywood actor Meryl Streep before settling in to watch this year's opening film, "The Second Act." Story by Monte Francis.

Cannes

Cannes kicks off with a Palme d'Or for Meryl Streep

Ukraine has pulled back troops near several villages in the northeastern Kharkiv region, where Russian forces have been advancing and pounding settlements in a new offensive along the border, Kyiv said.

Kharkiv

Ukraine pulls back from two areas of Kharkiv

French police and authorities have launched a nationwide manhunt for an escaped prisoner, after an armed gang ambushed his prison van, killing two officers. Video footage has emerged of the deadly attack which took place in Normandy, France on Tuesday morning in public.

Normandy

Manhunt underway after prison van attack in France

The Federal Budget has promised an energy rebate of $300 for all Australian households, but critics say a lack of means testing is a tougher sell. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the latest budget will reduce inflation, but economists disagree.

Federal budget promises an inflation fix 'by Christmas'

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a trip to Kyiv that part of a major U.S. aid package had arrived in Ukraine and that more was on its way.

Blinken says Putin must pay for damage in Ukraine

In his second day on the stand at Donald Trump's criminal trial, the prosecution tried to build up the former fixer's credibility as a witness who can link Trump to the alleged scheme of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

New York

Star witness Michael Cohen grilled by defence at Trump trial

A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report says the cargo ship Dali that collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore lost power twice in the hours before it left port.