London: The foreign fighters wanting to join the Ukrainian army were being forced to sign up a contract for duration of war, according to reports.
According to Ukraine, more than 20,000 foreigners from 52 countries have pledged to help fight against the Russian-backed army. Officials have warned members of the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine that they will be free to leave only when the state of martial law is ended, Daily Mail reported.
The contract given at the Polish border has forced the would-be recruits to have second thoughts. According to Daily Mail, the volunteers spoke of being put off by the tough contractual terms, poor vetting procedures and logistical problems.
John, a UK veteran who fought in Afghanistan for ten years, said he backed out after he was told to surrender his passport as pat of the contract conditions.
He said, “They don’t let you see the contract until you get into Ukraine. It says very clearly until the end of martial law. How long is that?”
