Ukraine’s parliament, in a significant decision, adopted a law on Wednesday permitting Ukrainians to hold multiple citizenship. This move is understood as an effort to address a demographic crisis deepened by Russia’s ongoing war and to strengthen connections with the Ukrainian diaspora dispersed globally, reports indicate.
The bill was approved by 243 delegates, according to reliable sources. Oleksiy Chernyshov, minister for unity, described this decision as a pivotal step towards preserving and reestablishing bonds with millions of Ukrainians worldwide in a social media post following the vote.
Government officials estimate the Ukrainian diaspora to be around 25 million strong, while the in-country population stands at approximately 32 million, as per government and analysts’ estimates. The significance of this should not be overlooked. Earlier, Ukrainian law did not acknowledge dual or multiple citizenship, necessitating ethnic Ukrainians worldwide holding other passports to relinquish their alternate citizenship to obtain a Ukrainian passport.
The issue of multiple citizenship has gained urgency since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The ongoing war has aggravated a demographic decline that had begun years earlier. Ukraine, upon gaining independence after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, had a population of 52 million. However, large labor migrations in the early 1990s and the exodus triggered by the recent invasion have significantly reduced this number. Current data suggests over 5 million Ukrainians reside in Europe as the war enters its fourth year.
This development follows earlier reports that the new law will streamline procedures for children born to Ukrainian parents abroad and Ukrainians gaining other citizenship through marriage. It will also facilitate obtaining Ukrainian citizenship for foreigners engaged in frontline combat for Ukraine. As per the new law, the government will compile a list of nations where dual citizenship is permitted. The evidence suggests that the legislation does not explicitly prohibit Russian citizens from acquiring Ukrainian passports, but it does allow the government to impose restrictions linked to the armed aggression against Ukraine. As a prerequisite, foreigners will have to demonstrate their knowledge of the Ukrainian language, history, and constitution through a test.
This raises important questions about the demographic future of Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict and the potential implications of the new dual citizenship law.