Ukrainian president Zelensky has ordered ease of border crossings for individuals aged 22 and under.
In a significant move aimed at supporting Ukraine's future, President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed the government and military command to consider easing border-crossing restrictions for Ukrainian citizens under the age of 22. This proposal, which targets individuals between the ages of 18 and 21, is intended to allow young men to travel abroad freely despite the ongoing martial law, while also addressing concerns about Ukraine's declining student population and the risk of long-term brain drain.
The proposal, which emerged from a speech delivered by President Zelensky during a meeting with participants of the Ukrainian Youth Forum, suggests raising the age limit for border crossing from the current 18 years to 22 years. This step is intended to combat the trend of under-18 teenagers leaving Ukraine before their 18th birthday to avoid travel bans, a practice that has contributed to declines in university and school enrollments, with 2024 seeing the lowest student enrollment in nine years.
This initiative reflects ongoing debates around adjusting travel limits for men under martial law, with previous talks considering raising the age limit to 24. However, President Zelensky's official proposal targets under-22s to facilitate educational and personal mobility for young men while continuing to meet national defense needs.
The exploration of this possibility is being done in collaboration with the military command, although no specific details about the methods or timeline of the exploration have been provided. It is also unclear if this proposal will lead to a formal policy change at this time.
President Zelensky's proposal has been received positively, with many viewing it as a correct and positive step. However, it is important to note that this exploration of border crossing simplification is currently not confirmed to apply to non-Ukrainian citizens.
The information about this proposal was reported by the "We-Ukraine" TV channel. "Ukrainian Truth" has sought comments on the proposal from the Presidential Office and the government, but as of now, no official response has been received.
As the government and military review the proposal following Zelensky’s directive, it remains to be seen how this proposal will impact the lives of young Ukrainians and the future of Ukraine's education system. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
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