Law on multiple citizenship contradicts spirit of Ukraine’s Constitution — diplomat

Roman Bezsmertnyi, a diplomat and one of the authors of the Constitution of Ukraine, said this on Espreso TV.

"This issue was discussed very carefully when the Constitution was written. It is written in such a way that it is assumed that citizenship of a person of another state is not allowed in Ukraine. This is how these norms were written. Since then, I have seen many interpretations of this provision of the Constitution. All of them do not comply with the basic law. All these talks that this provision says that there can be no citizenship of a region or oblast are complete nonsense," he emphasized.

Bezsmertnyi added that the fourth article clearly states that a person who is a citizen of Ukraine cannot have another citizenship, or a person who wants to acquire citizenship can obtain it if he or she is not a citizen of another state.

"I understand that someone may say that there are different interpretations. The only body that can interpret the relevant position of the Constitution is the Constitutional Court. The provision clearly states that a citizen of Ukraine cannot have another citizenship. The Constitution is written in such a way that one cannot be deprived of Ukrainian citizenship. If a person is a citizen of Ukraine, the state cannot deprive him or her of that citizenship," the diplomat said.

He added that the issue of acquiring another citizenship is a matter of legal culture and moral responsibility of a person to his or her state and society.

"As far as sanctions are concerned, you will not see any sanctions anywhere for finding another passport. This is what is in line with international practice in applying this position. The Ukrainian Constitution does not allow other citizenship - law-abiding citizens adhere to this position. Those who acquire such citizenship cannot be deprived of Ukrainian citizenship. This is the spirit of the Ukrainian Constitution. What the lawyer should have done was to analyze the situation if he acquired another citizenship - what sanctions, what responsibility. Not to introduce some kind of multiple citizenship. This provision is unconstitutional. Sooner or later, when you become a member of the EU, this problem will disappear by itself. Apart from being a political issue, it has no legal consequences. One cannot be deprived of Ukrainian citizenship - if you want to acquire another, it is your business. This law formally contradicts the spirit and content of the Constitution of Ukraine," Bezsmertnyi summarized.

• On Wednesday, June 18, the Ukrainian parliament passed a law introducing the institution of multiple citizenship in Ukraine.