The Ministry of Culture halts the issuance of support letters for artists and media professionals traveling abroad.

The Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications has suspended the issuance of support letters to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine regarding the departure of conscripted media professionals and artists. This suspension will take effect indefinitely starting March 3, reported on February 26 by the Ministry's press service.

According to the ministry, this decision was made because many conscripted individuals in these professions do not return to Ukraine.

“Due to gaps in national legislation, there have been numerous cases where individuals who received permission from the State Border Guard Service for temporary departure abroad through a support letter from the ministry did not return to Ukraine within the established timeframes,” the ministry’s press service stated.

It is noted that to address legislative issues, the ministry initiated changes back in 2022; however, this matter has not yet been resolved. Therefore, the issuance of support letters is being halted indefinitely—until legal details are clarified to prevent abuses.

Support letters to the State Border Guard Service will cease to be issued to conscripted artists and media professionals starting March 3, 2025. Military conscripts working in the fields of culture, information security, strategic communications, and linear audiovisual media will not be able to obtain this document.

To address issues of abuse during departures abroad, the Ministry of Culture has developed a draft amendment to the Cabinet of Ministers' resolution “On the Rules for Crossing the State Border by Citizens of Ukraine.” It is currently in the interdepartmental approval stage.