United to win: Finland releases guide for citizens interested in joining Ukraine's armed forces
Photo: facebook.com/okPivden
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland has created a separate section on its website with information for citizens who wish to fight in the ranks of the Ukrainian Defense Forces as volunteers.
This is stated on the Finnish Foreign Ministry website.
The department noted that they "do not recommend or encourage such a decision." Still, if necessary, they assist Finns in Ukraine in accordance with the Law on Consular Service. At the same time, every adult is responsible for their own choice.
"Finnish national legislation or international humanitarian law do not restrict voluntary entry into the ranks of Ukraine's armed forces. A volunteer who has joined the ranks of Ukraine's armed forces is subject to the legislation of Ukraine and international humanitarian law," the message says.
At the same time, the ministry noted that a volunteer fighter suspected of committing, for example, a war crime can be held criminally liable in Finland.
"War crimes include, for example, the intentional killing of civilians or prisoners of war, torture or inhuman treatment, as well as intentional attacks on the civilian population. Executing a person's order by a commander does not exempt him from criminal liability. Even a single act can be a war crime," the report says.
The Finns are also warned that foreign volunteer fighters usually sign a contract with Ukraine's armed forces for three years, with a minimum term of six months.
It should be noted that on October 26, 2024, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that allows foreigners and stateless persons to conclude a contract for service in officer positions in Ukraine's armed forces.
For reference:
Foreign citizens are already fighting in the Defense Forces of Ukraine, not as representatives of their countries' armed forces but as volunteers.
Even at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky called on citizens of foreign countries who were friends of Ukraine to join the territorial defense forces.
A separate unit was formed from them—the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine. In March 2022, the Ministry of Defense reported that 55 countries have representatives in the International Legion.
In addition, a website was launched in Ukraine that contains all the necessary information for citizens of foreign countries who want to join the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine.
Also, in June 2024, Ukraine's intelligence reported on the simplification of service in military intelligence for foreigners.
