Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked foreigners to help him defend his country against Russian invasion, and so far thousands of Americans are reportedly ready to accept his offer.

Zelenskyy temporarily waived visas for foreign nationals who wanted to fight earlier this month, and as of March 3, he said 16,000 people had joined the International Territorial Defense Legion of Ukraine, a newly formed volunteer legion. created.

That number includes hundreds of Americans who arrived in Ukraine on March 3, as well as more than 3,000 applications from U.S. citizens, a defense official at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, D.C., told the Military Times, a report. US-based independent military media.

How does an American join the Ukrainian army?

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian Foreign Minister tweeted that foreigners who want to “defend Ukraine and the world order” should join Territorial Defense of Ukraine by contacting Ukraine’s foreign diplomatic missions in their respective countries.

“Together we defeated Hitler, and we will defeat Putin too,” Kuleba wrote.

Territorial Defense in Ukraine is only looking for those with combat or law enforcement experience to fight, according to Military Times, and those wishing to join must be prepared with their ID, passport and documents proving military or law enforcement service issued by the government. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own equipment and travel to Ukraine is organized with the assistance of Ukrainian embassies, consulates and Territorial Defense in Ukraine.

The US State Department currently has an advisory warning citizens not to travel to Ukraine.

“The security situation across Ukraine is highly unstable and conditions may deteriorate without warning,” the notice said.

Is it legal for Americans to fight for Ukraine?

According to the US State Department, serving in the armed forces of a foreign country does not violate US law unless a US national is serving in the armed forces of a country at war with the United States. Although the 1794 Neutrality Act prohibits Americans from fighting governments at peace with the United States, it is rarely enforced except in cases of domestic terrorism, according to Reuters.

Do Americans think American adults should be allowed to fight in the Ukrainian military?

Fifty percent of American adults think American citizens should be allowed to volunteer to fight in the Ukrainian military, according to a YouGov poll, while 26% say they are unsure and 24% say they should not. The poll also found that 18% think US citizens should not be allowed to voluntarily enlist in foreign armies under any circumstances.

While Americans are split on whether adult Americans fighting for Ukraine should be allowed, most don’t think it will make a difference unless they have military training. A plurality of 43% of American adults think enlisting American volunteers would help the Ukrainian resistance, according to the poll, while among those who served in the military, 57% think it would make a difference.

The poll, of 5,898 American adults, was conducted on March 10 and 11.