OPEN BORDERS AND THE WAR
Permission to travel abroad for 18-24 year olds: strategic mistake or advantage?
Russia’s armed aggression in Ukraine has significantly changed security guarantees across Europe. Countries that share a border with the aggressor and have a history of “incidents” are, for the most part, strengthening their readiness to repel the aggressor. Ukraine, unfortunately, is already fighting a war on its own territory. But how strategically has our state really adapted to the current realities? And is it strategically preparing for a likely protracted war? Especially considering the permission about their right to leave country for conscripsts.
With this perspective in mind, let’s take a look at the following:
- Changes to travel rules, risks for the country, and possible solutions.
- Scandinavian countries and their example of “preparation”.
- The value of freedom and the efforts made.
- The country’s development strategy as a nation.
Rule changes, risks, solutions
Overview of changes regarding the right to leave country and return
The draft age is currently 17-24, during which time the population must register for military service at the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCR). Then begins the mobilization age of 25-60 years (the reduction to 25 years took place in 2024). That is, only from the age of 25 can citizens be called up for mobilization. We emphasize that mobilization is a forced but obvious necessity for Ukraine, which, without exaggeration, is fighting for its existence.
Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers
On August 24, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved Resolution No. 1031. It allows 18-22-year-old men to cross the border during martial law. To cross the border, they must have:
- A passport document that gives them the right to cross the border;
- A military registration document (including in electronic form).
An exception applies to citizens who are officials in state authorities, government agencies, and local self-government bodies. They may only travel abroad on official business trips.
Venislavsky's draft law about right to leave country
On August 22, 2025, a deputy from the Servant of the People party registered bill No. 13685. The draft law allows men under the age of 25 to cross the border without additional grounds (e.g., education) if they are not subject to mobilization.
Draft law from the Cabinet of Ministers
On August 21, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers submitted draft law No. 13673 to the Verkhovna Rada, which tightens liability for crossing the border in both directions during martial law. Specifically:
- Illegal border crossing is punishable by a fine of between 51,000 and 170,000 hryvnia or imprisonment for up to three years.
- Violation by conscripts, military personnel, or reservists of the terms of stay abroad will be punishable by a fine of 3,400 to 5,100 hryvnia or imprisonment for 3-5 years.
- Citizens who return to Ukraine within three months and before the moment of delivery of the suspicion may be exempt from liability if they voluntarily report the offense.
What rules were in effect prior to Resolution No. 1031?
In 2024, Law No. 10449 was adopted, regulating the procedure for conscripting students into military service depending on their form of study. Specifically, the following are not subject to conscription into military service during mobilization:
- Full-time students of civilian universities – for the duration of the academic semester.
- Full-time graduate students at civilian universities – for the entire duration of their graduate studies, with some exceptions.
However, the deferral does not apply to students and graduate students studying military specialties or specialties related to national security issues.
We emphasize once again that mobilization applies to citizens aged 25 and older. This means that most young Ukrainians had the opportunity to obtain higher education even before the Cabinet of Ministers’ resolution. Therefore, it is unclear why the president, among the reasons for the decision to allow travel, stated that now: “Children can not only finish school, but, importantly, enter and graduate from higher education institutions in Ukraine.” Moreover, Resolution No. 1031 still requires a military registration document.
Risks to defense capability
“The need to revise the rules for conscripts and military personnel who have not reached conscription age to travel abroad is obvious and does not pose a significant threat to Ukraine’s defense capabilities,” says the author of the bill, Fedir Venislavskyi. Apparently, the Cabinet of Ministers shares this opinion. However, I would like to note three aspects.
First aspect
If we consider defense capabilities for the next 1-2 years and do not need to replace exhausted military personnel, then probably yes, there are no threats either from the resolution or from the draft laws. But what about the future in 5-10 years? Doesn’t the army need young people who are clearly in better physical shape than active military personnel with an average age of 35+?
Second aspect
Does the government not consider the demotivation of the army to be a factor in defense capability? The government continues to impose significant restrictions on the rights of military personnel (travel abroad, the right to resign, etc.), which for the fourth year in a row have been “waging war on morale and willpower.” At the same time, the authorities are restoring conscripts’ rights to travel abroad. Won’t this be another demotivating factor for defenders? Especially for those who signed a contract at the age of 18-24 in order to, among other things, obtain the privilege of traveling abroad and right to leave country after service?
Third aspect
It seems that the new articles of the criminal code on punishment for draft dodgers should become a “motivational” factor for returning. This is somewhat reminiscent of the Israeli model.
However, the Cabinet of Ministers “missed” the key points of why this system of punishment works in Israel. First, there is a fixed term of service, a transparent system of distribution of positions, and substantial “bonuses” after service. Second, Jews aged 18-29 literally form their values (independence, freedom, rights, patriotism, nationalism) while gaining experience in combat and military service. Without these two key changes in our system, these “motivating” factors in the bill will be just another reason not to return to Ukraine.
Decision on a request for free travel abroad
Is there a solution that would satisfy the demands of young people, as well as those of military personnel and citizens aged 25+? Yes! It is the right to freely cross the border, which comes into effect:
– only after compulsory and fixed-term military service,
– and before reaching conscription age (up to 17 years).
Such a solution lays the foundation for the formation of an army reserve for the future as a long-term plan. And this is not about “turning the country into a concentration camp,” but about a strategy for survival and nation-building in wartime, regardless of whether voters like it or not.
Demographics and mobilization resources
The demographic pyramid for 2023 and future risks due to permission to travel abroad
Distribution of population by age group
Let’s look at the demographic pyramid of the population in the future, for example, in 7 years. According to Texty.org, there are about 1.3 million young men aged 18-24. There are about 1.5 million young men aged 10-17 as of now. In seven years, these 1.3 million will be subject to conscription, and 1.5 million will be allowed to travel abroad. According to a study by Gradus Research and Advanter Group conducted in 2024, 79% of young people aged 18-24 want to leave Ukraine and go abroad. At the same time, according to a study by Info Sapiens, initiated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the desire to return to Ukraine among young people aged 14-35 has halved. Specifically, the figure fell from 66% in 2023 to 32% in 2024. In other words, we can say that Ukraine will lose a significant portion of its youth, whose numbers are already declining every year, and will not be able to get them back.
At the same time, the most numerous category, those aged 35-45, clearly do not have enough physical resources to effectively ensure defense capability. This is in comparison to younger people. In particular, due to changes in the body, such as degenerative processes in the joints, changes in blood pressure, etc.
Therefore, allowing men of conscription age to travel abroad without restriction directly undermines defense capabilities! Whether it is a decision by the Cabinet of Ministers or a law by the Verkhovna Rada.
Scenario for the future in the context of the continuation and end of the war
Regardless of the future scenario, whether the war continues or ends, the country needs a functioning economy to survive. The economy, in turn, requires a sufficient number of workers. For example, according to a 2024 survey of employers, mobilization (67%) and migration (54%) are the main reasons for labor shortages. It should be noted that “open borders for young professionals to leave” is contrary to the survival of the state. Meanwhile, mobilization is a necessary step during wartime.
Demographic risks arise because it is at the age of 25-35 that young people have stable incomes, start families, and have children. As cynical as it may sound, without these young people, Ukraine will not have a positive demographic trend. Nor will it have a future in general. Objectively speaking, Ukraine’s ability to create adequate conditions for young people (security, financial support, etc.) is significantly limited, both now and in the future (during war or peace). So how will Ukarine be able to compete in 5-10 years for young people who left at the age of 17-24? Unfortunately, such initiatives by the authorities seem short-sighted in today’s reality.
Scandinavian countries and their example of “preparation”
Many European countries are actively preparing for a possible war with Russia. As part of their preparations, they are actively purchasing and manufacturing weapons for their own armies, modernizing existing equipment, conducting training exercises, and, of course, increasing GDP spending on their own defense. However, it is worth highlighting the Scandinavian countries, which, unlike Ukraine, are “thinking” strategically and building up their armies. They have introduced a whole series of strategic changes regarding the size of their armies and/or changes affecting the civilian population.
Norway
Norwegian citizens who are fit for service in the Armed Forces are subject to military service between the ages of 19 and 44. The term of service in the army is up to 19 months. More precisely, after 12 months of initial service, there are another 7 months of repeat service or 12 months in the National Guard. In the event of martial law, the King of Norway may issue separate decrees. In particular, the draft age may be lowered to 18, and conscripts may be prohibited from traveling abroad.
In 2025, the Norwegian government presented a training concept, the authors of which emphasize the need to create a “culture of war readiness.” In particular, the following measures can be highlighted within this training:
- Increasing the size of the army and annual conscription for military service from the current 8,000 to 12,000 conscripts.
- Legislatively introducing compulsory civilian work during a security crisis or war.
Sweden
In Sweden, all citizens aged 16-70 are subject to military service. Swedes must submit information to the Swedish National Service’s online conscription database in the year they turn 18. The term of military service is 9-15 months. During martial law, conscripts are prohibited from traveling abroad.
In 2014, after the annexation of Crimea, Sweden began to change its defense strategy. Some of the changes include:
- To raise the conscription age for officers from 47 to 70. There are also plans to abolish the rule exempting conscripts from registration if more than 10 years have passed since their last military training.
- General conscription will be reinstated in 2018.
Finland
All Finnish men aged 18-60 are required to serve and participate in the armed defense of the country. The term of service is 5.5-11.5 months. For conscripts, the right to travel abroad may be restricted during martial law. Incidentally, almost 80% of Finns support the current system of compulsory military service, which provides a reserve for the army.
Finland apparently began implementing measures for its own security back in 2014, in particular:
- Reforming the army after 2014. Specifically, bureaucratic processes for mobilization were reduced, reservists were reformed into TROs, and elite special forces units were created to combat “little green men.”
- Legislative changes regarding the involvement of reservists in protecting the state border from 2024.
- Raising the upper age limit for reservists to 65 and increasing their number to 1 million by 2031.
The value of freedom and the efforts made
Why are nations formed through struggle?
From a psychological point of view, it is natural for people to value what they have put their own effort into, as opposed to getting something for free. This applies to most aspects of life: a banal “IKEA wardrobe,” education, work, family. And, of course, it applies to such profound values as freedom, independence, and basic rights. Unfortunately, sometimes the value of freedom is only felt when fighting for it or after losing it. Again, we have an enemy who plans to take away our freedom and independence and will not stop until we and he cease to exist. So, wouldn’t it be worth introducing our own “culture of freedom and independence”? And involving young people in the fight for values as a strategy for the country’s development?
An example of such a model exists in Israel, where young people aged 18-29 serve in the army. Service here is compared to a “melting pot.” This is because the army is a social institution that unites all Israelis and immigrants, forming them into a single nation through compulsory military service. After service, the ban on free travel abroad is lifted, although it takes effect at the age of 17. However, Israel citizens do not flee the country en masse after service; on the contrary, they want to stay and build their future in Israel.
Strategy for the development of the country as a nation
Ukraine has every opportunity to integrate Israel’s experience and build up its army, like the Scandinavian countries, and ultimately become a strong nation. It can also satisfy society’s demand for “open borders” without threatening its defense capabilities. A high level of defense capability is impossible without two changes. First, reforms in the army. Second, the involvement of the entire population in the struggle for freedom, independence, and democratic rights (including free border crossing). That is why the NGO “Intention” once again emphasizes the list of key reforms in the army: the responsibility of commanders, training, choice of positions, rotation, and fixed terms of service. And the right to freely travel abroad during wartime should be more of a “privilege” after participating in the struggle for independence. If we really want to have a strong army now and the ability to defend ourselves in the future.
Therefore, we must change the country’s development strategy:
- Distribute the “burden of war” evenly across the entire population of Ukraine by replacing those who have served for more than three years.
- Provide veterans with real opportunities for a dignified life, not just “golden mountains on paper.”
- Prepare young people for combat (now and in case of future threats) and involve them in this struggle.
But we must not make the mistake of thoughtlessly allowing voters to leave and then asking them to return.