The US State of Department has recently announced that Washington has no plans to keep track of US citizens who’re deciding to join the mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, warning that such trips can result in “capture or death.”
“When Americans travel abroad they are not required to register with the Department of State in any way, so these are not metrics we would track,” said Ned Price, spokesperson for the State Department, answering a question regarding how many Americans have traveled to Ukraine in light of Ukraine’s “invitation” for a coalition.
The US government has been urging US citizens to avoid fighting in Ukraine, at the same time suggesting that no actions will be taken against those who decide to go. While Washington merely advises against it, other countries, like Serbia, have taken to prosecute “volunteers” who decide to fight a war that isn’t theirs.
Price contended that traveling to Ukraine poses “risks to personal safety” and that citizens “should be aware that Russia has stated that it intends to treat foreign fighters in Ukraine as ‘mercenaries’ rather than as lawful combatants or prisoners of war.”
Washington requests Moscow “respect all of its obligations and law of war” and warned of “potential attempts at criminal prosecution” and a “heightened risk for mistreatment.”
Around 100 US citizens have been screened to join the fighting in Ukraine against Russian troops after the Ukrainian embassy called on citizens in different countries to join them.
The candidates include some helicopter pilots and others with combat experience from fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Recently, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that 16,000 mercenaries were expected to join the conflict next week.
Source: Agencies (editted by Al-Manar English Website)
