Kyiv introduced the ban in April citing the need for a technical pause whilst the country grappled with its overhaul of rules governing mobilization.
The amended conscription laws come into effect on Saturday and include a new requirement for men living abroad to have an up-to-date military document to use services such as passport renewal.
However, the suspension meant that those rushing to get services beforehand were unable to file applications and receive documentation. "Starting May 18, men aged 18-60 who are temporarily abroad have the opportunity to apply for consular services," said the Foreign Ministry.
When it was first made, the suspension of consular services attracted a wave of criticism from abroad, as well as from lawmakers. Others, however, have voiced their support, not least Ukraine’s military top brass and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba.
As things stand, Ukraine faces an acute shortage of manpower and has adopted a raft of news regulations aimed at bolstering troop numbers and addressing the problem of draft dodging - including those men of fighting age who have illegally moved abroad.
According to Eurostat estimates, around 4.3 million Ukrainians were thought to be living in EU countries as of January 2024, with around 860,000 of that number being adult men.
