• Zelensky submitted legislation to parliament on dual citizenship on Unity Day.
• He issued a decree safeguarding the rights and identity of around 4 million.
• The process could span about a year and requires approval from parliament.

On Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to Ukrainians abroad for their support during Russia’s invasion and proposed a constitutional change to allow dual citizenship. On Unity Day, commemorating the short-lived 1919 unification of eastern and western Ukrainian lands in an independent state, Zelensky submitted legislation to parliament on dual citizenship, symbolizing the occasion.

Additionally, Zelensky, marking the day, issued a decree that safeguards the rights and identity of some 4 million ethnic Ukrainians in Russia, constituting the largest diaspora group. As Ukraine’s constitution currently does not grant Ukrainian citizens the right to dual citizenship, millions of people of Ukrainian origin living abroad face restrictions from holding 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,” Zelensky said in a video address.

“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.”

Ukrainian officials:

Following its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, and the occupation of swathes of Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian officials commonly characterize Russia as the aggressor country. As Russia’s war in Ukraine persists, with Kyiv relying heavily on military and financial aid from abroad, President Zelensky has consistently emphasized the necessity for unity.

Expressing gratitude to the diaspora for its support, including those who joined the fight for Ukraine, Zelensky highlighted the special significance of the words “I am Ukrainian” and praised the “indomitability of our people.” Changes to the constitution, requiring approval from parliament and authorization from the Constitutional Court, constitute a process that could span about a year.

In a presidential decree applicable to ethnic Ukrainians in Russia, Zelensky called for an action plan to preserve their identity, documentation of “crimes” committed against them, and efforts to counter “misinformation” directed at them. The decree identified parts of Russia historically populated by Ukrainians, encompassing regions along the joint border and areas in and near Krasnodar on the Black Sea coast.

Official figures indicate that up to 4 million ethnic Ukrainians, both permanent and temporary residents, live in Russia, making it the largest diaspora group by far.

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