If it is up to the parliament in Kyiv, residents of Ukraine are allowed to carry weapons to defend themselves against a possible invasion by Russia. The delegates have approved a bill to that effect.
According to the drafters, the law is necessary given “existing threats and dangers to the citizens of Ukraine.”
The country of more than 44 million inhabitants has called on military reservists aged 18 to 60 to join the armed forces. The government does not consider general mobilization necessary.
Moscow has recognized the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent and has announced it will send troops to eastern Ukraine. Western countries have punished this with sanctions.
On Wednesday, the Ukrainian parliament approved sanctions against 351 Russians, including MPs who have supported the recognition.
