Estonian authorities ready to help Ukraine mobilise its citizens in the country

Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets has said that Estonia is ready to help Ukraine mobilise its citizens if necessary.

This was reported by Postimees with reference to the minister.

According to Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets, there are about 7,500 Ukrainian citizens of military age in Estonia, but it is important to understand that many of them are exempt from service. For example, mobilisation does not apply to those Ukrainian citizens who live permanently abroad, but it does affect those who came to Estonia after the full-scale war and live in Estonia on a temporary residence permit.

"According to Ukrainian law, single parents, parents of three children, parents of children with disabilities and people caring for a loved one are also exempt from mobilisation. This means that there are quite a few criteria for not being subject to mobilisation," Läänemets explains.

According to the interior minister, under international law Ukraine cannot mobilise Ukrainians living in Estonia, as this requires an agreement between states.

Läänemets intends to officially inform the Ukrainian authorities that if they want to draft Ukrainian citizens in Estonia, Estonia is ready to conclude such an agreement with Ukraine.

"Estonia will not stand aside. We are ready to sign such an agreement and help Ukraine. We have an idea where these people live in Estonia. We are ready to help bring these people from Estonia to Ukraine if they need it," added the Minister of the Interior.