KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky while thanking Ukrainians abroad on Monday for their support in war against Russia has proposed allowing dual citizenship for them by amending the constitution.
The president said he will be submitting legislation to parliament on dual citizenship. It would be symbolic gesture on Unity Day, the anniversary of the unification of eastern and western Ukrainian lands in an independent state.
Zelensky also marked the day by issuing a decree to protect the rights and identity of 4 million Ukrainians living in Russia.
Ukraine’s constitution does not allow citizens to obtain dual citizenship, so millions of people of Ukrainian origin living abroad are unable to have Ukrainian passports.
Zelensky in a video address said that he will be submitting to the parliament that will allow the adoption of comprehensive legislative amendments and the introduction of dual citizenship.
The changes will allow all ethnic Ukrainians and their descendants from around the world to have Ukrainian citizenship.
Zelensky has frequently underscored the need for unity as Russia’s war in Ukraine goes on, with Kyiv heavily dependent on foreign military and financial aid.
Changes to the constitution need parliament’s approval, which could take about a year, and the authorization of the Constitutional court.
The presidential decree would also help ethnic Ukrainians in Russia to preserve their identity.
The decree included parts of Russia deemed to be historically populated by Ukrainians, including regions along the joint border and areas in and near Krasnodar on the Black Sea coast.
