Estonia ready to sign pact allowing extradition of Ukrainian men eligible for conscription
Tallinn is ready to extradite Ukrainian men of military age who are subject to conscription, Estonian Foreign Minister Lauri Läänemets stated on Dec. 22, according to news outlet Postimees.
According to international law, Ukraine cannot mobilize its citizens living in Estonia without a separate bilateral agreement, but the Estonian diplomat stated that Estonia is ready to conclude such an agreement. He is going to officially inform the Ukrainian authorities about this.
Read also: Bill on mobilization of Ukrainians abroad to be ready in January
"Estonia will not stand aside," said Läänemets.
“We are happy to sign such an agreement and help Ukraine. We have an idea where these people live in Estonia. We are ready to assist in bringing these people from Estonia to Ukraine if they need it.”
Read also: Defense Ministry finishes audit of digital conscription registry
About 7,500 Ukrainian citizens of military age allegedly live in Estonia, but many of them are exempt from conscription – those who already have Estonian residency. This new policy would only affect those who came to Estonia following the start of the full-scale war.
"According to Ukrainian law, single parents, parents of at least three children, parents of disabled children, and people who are caring for a loved one are also exempt from mobilization," Minister Läänemets stated.
“That is, there are quite a few criteria according to which a person is not subject to mobilization.”
The draft law on the conscription of men abroad is expected to be ready in January, according to Ukrainian MPs.
The same day, Germany said it would not force Ukrainians to return to fight in the army.
Read also: Estonia completes border fence with Russia as part of high-tech border upgrade
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Dec. 19 that the military command had proposed conscription another 450,000-500,000 people, but he asked for a strong case to be made prior to taking this step, which would cost the state budget 500 billion hryvnias ($13.3 billion).
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