Zelenskyy to Grant Ukrainian Citizenship to Foreign Volunteers and Their Families

Zelenskyy to grant citizenship to foreign fighters

In a significant move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced plans to grant citizenship to foreign volunteers serving in Ukraine’s Defense Forces and their families. The decision, revealed on 15 August via Telegram, aims to honor those defending Ukraine’s sovereignty.

“Every warrior who defends the Ukrainian state, protects our people, and defends our independence deserves recognition and maximum support,”

Zelenskyy stated.

This offer primarily targets members of the Ukrainian International Legion—foreign nationals who have joined the fight but do not hold Ukrainian citizenship. The President also emphasized the importance of extending this privilege to their families, stating,

“They deserve to be our citizens, citizens of Ukraine. It is also fair to extend this to their families, to the families of our heroes.”

Zelenskyy’s announcement is part of a broader legislative push, including measures to ensure full payments and benefits for soldiers engaged in operations on Russian soil, address the status of captured weapons, and deal with Ukrainians who fled to Russia after the invasion began on 24 February 2022.

The President urged the Ukrainian parliament to convene urgently to address these issues, stressing the need to bolster the nation’s legal framework this August.