On Monday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed amending the constitution to permit dual citizenship while also thanking Ukrainians living overseas for their support during Russia’s invasion.
On Unity Day, the anniversary of the short-lived 1919 unification of eastern and western Ukrainian lands in an independent state, Zelenskyy announced that he was submitting legislation to parliament on dual citizenship.
In honour of the day, Zelenskyy also issued an edict safeguarding the identity and rights of the 4 million or so ethnic Ukrainians living in Russia, who make up the largest diaspora. Due to the lack of dual citizenship rights in the Ukrainian constitution, millions of people who are of Ukrainian descent but reside overseas are unable to obtain Ukrainian passports.
“Today I am submitting to the Verkhovna Rada a key draft law that will allow the adoption of comprehensive legislative amendments and the introduction of multiple citizenship. And it will allow all ethnic Ukrainians and their descendants from around the world to have our citizenship. Of course, except for citizens of the aggressor country,” Zelenskiy said in a video address.
Following its full-scale invasion and occupation of large portions of Ukrainian territory on February 24, 2022, Russian officials have frequently referred to Ukraine as the aggressor nation.
With Kyiv largely dependent on foreign military and financial assistance as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasised the need for unity.
Expressing gratitude to the diaspora for its backing, encompassing those who had travelled to defend Ukraine, Zelenskyy announced that the declaration “I am Ukrainian” held a unique significance and celebrated the “indomitability of our people.”
Parliamentary approval, which could take up to a year, and the Constitutional Court’s authorization are required before any changes to the constitution can be made.
