Parliament adopts draft law on citizenship for foreigners fighting for Ukraine

MP Iryna Herashchenko reported the information.

The government's draft law No. 9585 was registered last summer, but it has only just been adopted.

The document was voted for by 263 MPs.

The draft law provides for immigration permits or Ukrainian citizenship for those whose passports have expired, as well as for foreigners and stateless persons who participated in the defense of Ukraine.

Family members of persons who have signed a contract to serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces are also entitled to obtain a temporary residence permit.

At the same time, citizens of Russia and Belarus who have acquired Ukrainian citizenship will be required to confirm the termination of their foreign citizenship within a year after the end of the martial law regime.

Persons who obtained Ukrainian citizenship during martial law and serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces must pass exams on the Constitution, history of Ukraine and the Ukrainian language within two years after the end of martial law.

The document provides for the suspension of acceptance of applications for Ukrainian citizenship from Russian citizens for a year after the end of martial law (with some exceptions).

• In February, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree allowing foreigners and stateless persons to serve in the National Guard.