Ukrainian World Congress: Law on multiple citizenship will unite Ukrainians worldwide in the country’s recovery

The Ukrainian World Congress, which represents Ukrainian communities in more than 80 countries and counts 25 million people of Ukrainian descent across the globe, said a dual or multiple citizenship legislation will help unite the diaspora with their homeland.

Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress, outlined the group’s position during a press briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

“Almost as many Ukrainians live outside the country as within it,” Grod said. “That’s why we need to create this ‘human chain’, a bond with Ukrainians around the globe. In this way, we can engage all Ukrainians in rebuilding the state.”

He added that multiple citizenship would also help preserve national identity by ensuring Ukrainians abroad are no longer required to give up their Ukrainian passports.

Earlier this year, Ukraine passed and signed into law Bill No. 4502-IX on multiple citizenship, which is set to take effect on January 16, 2026. The legislation allows Ukrainians to hold citizenship in other countries under certain conditions, including with so-called friendly states, and eases naturalization for foreigners who have served in the Ukrainian Armed Forces or can trace their roots to Ukraine.

The measure explicitly bans multiple citizenship with aggressor states and sets out new provisions for revoking a Ukrainian passport.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news