Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes that multiple citizenship should become one of the elements of state policy aimed at preserving and developing the global Ukrainian community. He said this in a speech at the 12th Ukrainian World Congress, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
"Millions of Ukrainians went abroad to escape the war. We will encourage them to return home in every way possible. But we also understand that many of them will remain abroad. In these circumstances, it is necessary to preserve their connection with their homeland. This is about the future of Ukraine and Ukrainians. Therefore, multiple citizenship should become one of the elements of state policy aimed at preserving and developing the global Ukrainian community," Kuleba said.
The Minister noted that Ukraine has had a difficult discussion on this topic, stressing that he is firmly convinced of the need to introduce multiple citizenship.
"We should be guided not by the fear of distributing other people's passports in Ukraine, but by the power of the Ukrainian passport in Ukraine and the world. We must open up the possibility for millions of Ukrainians abroad to keep their Ukrainian passports or obtain them. We also have to accept the fait accompli that when Ukraine joins the European Union, Ukrainian passports will have the same status as passports of neighbouring European countries," Kuleba said.
He also added that this policy should be implemented reasonably, gradually, starting with "friendly allied countries".
"And, of course, any dual citizenship with the aggressor state or unfriendly countries should be prohibited," the Foreign Minister added.