Ukraine to finalize dual citizenship law within year — National Unity Minister

“We don’t want to force anyone to return, but our goal is to unite all Ukrainians — at home and abroad," he explained.

"First and foremost, we are passing the bill that will allow emigrants to hold dual citizenship, which is now prohibited. They will have the same rights as those who remained in Ukraine, including the right to vote. The law will be ready within a year.”

However, the minister could not confirm whether Ukrainians with dual citizenship will be able to vote in the next presidential election:

“That’s not certain," Chernyshov said.

"The procedures won’t be fast — we will need to follow the necessary steps and verify that individuals have lived in Ukraine.”

On Dec. 17, 2024, the Ukrainian Parliament passed draft bill No. 11469 in the first reading, establishing the legal framework for multiple citizenship.

Ukraine’s dual citizenship debate

Under current Ukrainian law, dual citizenship is not officially recognized.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a bill on multiple citizenship to parliament on Aug. 7, 2024.

He earlier pledged to deliver on this promise at a 2023 meeting with the Ukrainian diaspora in the United States.

Zelenskyy also submitted a dual citizenship bill in Decemeber 2019, and a multiple citizenship bill in December 2021.

On Nov. 19, 2024, while presenting the Internal Resilience Plan to parliament, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine needed to adopt multiple citizenship to strengthen ties with Ukrainians worldwide.