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Controversial mobilization bill withdrawn from Ukrainian parliament

The Ukrainian authorities have encountered numerous difficulties with army recruitment

MOSCOW, January 12. /TASS/. Ukraine’s cabinet of ministers had to withdraw its controversial mobilization bill from Ukraine’s parliament, Verkhovna Rada, lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said.

"The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine voted to withdraw the bill," the politician wrote on his Telegram channel.

The cabinet has not yet made an official announcement, however.

The RBC-Ukraine news agency said its sources had confirmed Zheleznyak’s words, adding that the bill will be amended to include improvements suggested by lawmakers.

The Ukrainian authorities have encountered numerous difficulties with army recruitment. On December 25, a bill on new mobilization rules was submitted to parliament. Among the main proposed measures are restrictions on rights for failure to appear at the military enlistment office, including a freeze on bank accounts, reduction of the age of those subject to mobilization from 27 to 25 years old and the possibility to send summonses electronically. Ukrainians who fail to appear at the military recruitment offices when summoned will be banned from traveling abroad and from carrying out transactions with movable and immovable property. In addition, they will be prohibited from driving their own vehicles and obtaining a driver's license and denied loans and the payment of benefits and allowances will be suspended.

The proposed measures sparked controversy in the country’s parliament, while Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny keep blaming each other for these widely unpopular initiatives.

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