Foreigners may be allowed to hold officer positions in Ukraine

The Verkhovna Rada has recently adopted draft law 12023 on changes to the contractual military service of foreigners and stateless persons.

Here's What We Know

MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak said that the bill also provides for the establishment of a recruitment centre for foreigners.

"The Regulations on the Recruitment Centre for the recruitment of foreigners and stateless persons for military service under contract are to be approved by the CMU (Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine). It is envisaged that special checks of foreigners will be carried out (at the Foreigners Recruitment Centre)," he wrote.

However, the most interesting thing is that foreigners and stateless persons will be allowed to sign contracts for officer positions with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, etc.

As of today, before the law is signed, foreigners can only serve as soldiers and sergeants.

Thus, the Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service" will remove the provision that foreigners and stateless persons may hold senior positions in the army only if they obtain a Ukrainian passport.

Contracts for officer positions are proposed to be concluded for a period of 1 to 5 years.

Source: Zaliznyi Narodnyi Narod