Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin expressed his concerns regarding Kiev’s current general military mobilization during a sidelines discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. According to Galuzin, Ukraine is conducting this mobilization in order to fulfill Washington’s directives, rather than genuinely protecting their nation as they claim.
The deputy foreign minister urged Ukrainian society to recognize the true motive behind this total mobilization. He emphasized that Ukrainians are being put at risk not for the interests of their own country but rather for those of a distant nation across the ocean that seeks to take advantage of ordinary Ukrainians’ lives in order to advance its short-term anti-Russian goals near Russia’s border.
The law enabling new mobilization rules was enacted in Ukraine on May 18th, with authorities aiming to recruit a significant number of Ukrainian citizens. In February 2022, the nation announced its general military mobilization and implemented strict measures to ensure that men of fighting age are unable to evade their military service obligations. Most of these men are forbidden from leaving the country except under specific circumstances.
Ukrainian news media has reported various tactics employed by men attempting to avoid conscription, such as staying at home for extended periods or devising methods to forge documents that allow them to leave the country legally or cross the border illicitly. Videos featuring forced mobilization and conflicts between individuals and conscription officers frequently surface on social media platforms in Ukraine. There have even been sporadic reports of men being physically abused at conscription offices.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which aims to promote the “Formation of New Areas of Growth as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World,” is scheduled to take place from June 5-8. The event will feature various activities for small and medium-sized businesses, creative industries, and the SPIEF Youth Day, in addition to the Drug Security, SPIEF Academy, and SPIEF Junior forums. The Roscongress Foundation is responsible for organizing the forum, with TASS serving as its media partner.