Ukraine approves new screening rules for foreigners in armed forces, including mandatory polygraph

According to Honcharenko, the Foreigners’ Recruitment Center will be officially authorized to conduct these screenings. The polygraph will become a mandatory part of the special background check before enlistment.

Rights of foreigners fighting for Ukraine

On May 9, 2024, Honcharenko said that Ukraine’s parliament had passed the first reading of Bill No. 9585 on the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons defending Ukraine.

The bill provides for immigration permits or Ukrainian citizenship for those whose passports have expired. It also applies to foreign fighters and stateless persons who have served in Ukraine’s defense.

On Aug. 20, 2024, Ukraine’s parliament fully approved Bill No. 9585, which regulates the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons participating in Ukraine’s territorial defense.

On Oct. 26, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law allowing foreigners and stateless persons to serve as officers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine under contract.

On Feb. 3, 2025, Zelenskyy signed a law simplifying the process of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship for the spouses of Ukrainian military personnel.