President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on multiple citizenship, which provides for significant changes in the legal status of foreigners in Ukraine and defines new conditions for the loss of citizenship. The draft law, entitled "On some issues in the field of migration regarding the grounds and procedure for acquiring and terminating Ukrainian citizenship" (No. 10425), defines the basic principles of introducing the institution of multiple citizenship.
One of the key aspects of the draft law is the introduction of a declaration of self-recognition as a citizen of Ukraine, where a foreigner who can acquire citizenship in a simplified manner only recognizes himself as a citizen of Ukraine. This order applies to foreigners from a number of countries, including the European Union, the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and Japan. On the other hand, foreigners who are citizens of aggressor states must undertake to terminate their foreign citizenship in order to obtain Ukrainian citizenship.
The draft law also defines the criteria for submitting a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship, and not an obligation to terminate it. This applies to those who served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Service of Transport, the National Guard, or are a child or family member of such persons, or those who became a refugee and have significant merits for Ukraine.
The draft law also regulates the legal status of foreigners who participated in the defense of Ukraine. Foreigners who took part in combat or service tasks can receive temporary residence permits even after the expiration of the passport or its exchange.
In addition, the draft law provides for the possibility of immigration of foreigners whose other half is a deceased citizen of Ukraine or a military serviceman. Grounds for loss of citizenship are also defined, including actions that pose a threat to the national security or interests of Ukraine.
In an explanatory note, the president noted that the draft law will not affect the market environment, development of regions or other spheres of public life.
