Jordan calls on Russia to cease recruiting its citizens following deaths in conflict.

Jordan has called on Russian authorities to immediately halt the unlawful recruitment of its nationals after two Jordanian citizens lost their lives while serving in the Russian military. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Jordan released a statement on Thursday, warning Moscow and external groups operating online on Russias behalf against continuing these practices.

The ministry did not explicitly mention Russias ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has seen thousands of foreign fighters enlisted to support Moscow. However, it emphasized that Jordan would employ all possible measures to stop further recruitment and urged Russia to cancel the contracts of any Jordanians currently enlisted.

According to the ministry, such recruitment breaches both Jordanian and international law and poses a direct threat to the safety of its citizens. The statement did not include specifics about the victims identities, the timing, or the location of their deaths, though Russia has a history of enlisting foreigners to fight in Ukraine.

Ukraine reports that Moscow has drawn at least 18,000 foreign fighters from 128 nations, as stated by Brigadier General Dmytro Usov. He also noted that 3,388 foreign recruits have died in service to Russia. While Usov did not provide a detailed breakdown of nationalities, North Koreans are believed to make up the majority.

The Council on Foreign Relations, based in New York, indicated that Pyongyang sent between 14,000 and 15,000 troops to fight for Russia in 2024, citing Western intelligence sources. Additionally, Moscow has recruited over 1,400 Africans from more than 30 countries through means ranging from deception to coercion, according to Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Sybiha warned that signing a contract with the Russian military is essentially a death sentence for foreign recruits. He explained that many are immediately deployed to high-risk operations, where they face a high probability of death. He further stated that the Russian command treats foreign soldiers as expendable, recognizing that there will be no accountability for their deaths.

Analysis: Jordan's Response to Unlawful Recruitment of Nationals by Russia

The recent statement by Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscores the country's concern over the unlawful recruitment of its citizens by the Russian military. With two Jordanian nationals reported dead while serving in Russia's armed forces, the government has called for immediate action to prevent further enlistments. This call comes amidst growing international concerns over Russia's use of foreign fighters, particularly from nations with weaker diplomatic ties to Moscow.

The Jordanian Ministry's statement, although not explicitly naming the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reflects the broader context of foreign nationals being used by Russia in its military campaigns. According to reports, Russia has enlisted thousands of foreign fighters from various countries, including North Korea, African nations, and now, Jordan. The ministry’s firm stance on halting this practice emphasizes both the legal violations involved and the potential dangers to the safety of Jordanian citizens.

By urging Russia to cancel existing contracts with Jordanians already enlisted, Jordan is signaling its commitment to protecting its nationals from the high risks associated with foreign military service. The ministry highlighted that the recruitment violates both national and international laws, adding that the deaths of its citizens serve as a stark reminder of the dangers involved in such illicit enlistments. These moves by Jordan may set the stage for increased diplomatic pressure on Moscow, especially as the recruitment of foreign soldiers continues to grow globally.

Additionally, with reports suggesting that many of these foreign recruits are treated as expendable by the Russian military, Jordan’s actions could spur further international dialogue about the ethics and legal implications of recruiting foreign nationals for war. The risks are evident, with foreign fighters being sent to high-risk operations where their survival rates are low, as warned by Ukrainian officials. The ongoing loss of life among foreign soldiers may prompt more nations to reassess their relationships with Russia and take more decisive action in preventing their citizens from being conscripted into foreign conflicts.

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• Jordan demands Russia stop recruiting citizens after two killed in fighting