Zelensky simplifies citizenship for military spouses: details
3 February 2025 20:59
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a bill that makes it easier for wives or husbands of military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to obtain Ukrainian citizenship. This was reported on the website of the Verkhovna Rada, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The law grants the right to submit a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship to the second spouse of a citizen of Ukraine who is doing military service or who has done military service and died in the performance of (in connection with) military duties, or was discharged from military service on the grounds specified by law.
It also provides for
- quotas for family reunification: establishing immigration quotas for foreigners who want to reunite with military personnel.
- restoration of citizenship: the possibility for foreigners who defended Ukraine to restore Ukrainian citizenship.
It is worth noting that the Verkhovna Rada passed in the second reading the draft law No. 12023 on amendments to the procedure for contract military service by foreigners and stateless persons.
The law stipulates that foreigners and stateless persons in Ukraine will be allowed to sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service and the National Guard. This also applies to officer positions.
The bill also provides for the establishment of a recruitment center for foreigners. There, they will undergo a vetting process that will determine
- the legality of their stay on the territory of Ukraine;
- facts of bringing to administrative and criminal liability under Ukrainian law;
- signs of links to foreign intelligence and subversive activities against Ukraine;
- other circumstances that may prevent a foreigner from being accepted for military service under a contract.
