NextFin news, KYIV — On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a decision allowing Ukrainian men aged 18 to 22 to travel abroad freely during the ongoing martial law, a restriction previously imposed due to the full-scale Russian invasion and general mobilization.
The new rules came into effect on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, as officially published by the Ukrainian government. This policy change exempts men in this age group from the border crossing restrictions that apply to other males aged 23 to 60 under martial law conditions.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated after the government meeting in Kyiv that the aim is to preserve and strengthen Ukrainians' connections with their homeland. She emphasized the importance of providing young men with opportunities for education, internships, and legal employment abroad.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had announced this initiative earlier in August 2025, promising to open the borders for young men aged 18 to 22. Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2024, martial law and general mobilization had prohibited men aged 18 to 60 from leaving Ukraine, with mobilization initially targeting men aged 27 to 60 and later expanded to those aged 25 to 60.
Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko explained in a Telegram post that the government’s goal is to enable young Ukrainians to acquire quality education and international experience, which they can later apply to Ukraine's development. He stressed that the government is making every effort to ensure that Ukrainian youth remain a strong part of the state while gaining access to global opportunities.
The official government website published the full text of the resolution on the evening of August 27, 2025, confirming that the border crossing restrictions under martial law do not apply to Ukrainian men aged 18 to 22 inclusive.
This policy adjustment reflects the Ukrainian authorities’ attempt to balance national defense needs with the personal and professional development of younger citizens amid ongoing conflict conditions.
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