Foreign nationals and stateless persons serving in Ukraine’s defence will receive improved conditions of military service, including easier legalisation procedures, better social protection and greater support for their families.
An interagency working group held its first meeting to develop the necessary changes, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence reported.
During the meeting, Deputy Defence Minister Liubov Halan presented a concept for the reforms, which will be implemented in close coordination with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Office of the Military Ombudsman and other government bodies directly involved in the process.
“There is currently strong demand both from the Ukrainian military for the recruitment of foreigners and from foreign volunteers themselves. Our task is to ensure transparent conditions for their recruitment and decent conditions of military service. It is equally important that their families have access to the necessary information and understand where they can turn for assistance,” Halan said.
The Defence Ministry is already preparing amendments to legislation and additional guidance on existing regulations that are not always properly implemented at the local level.
For example, the ministry is preparing guidance for military units concerning temporary residence permits in order to simplify the process for foreign nationals serving in those units.
Representatives of the General Staff have joined the working group, supported the overall plan and presented their own proposals based on their experience working with foreign volunteers.
Together with the Military Ombudsman and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Migration Service, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Veterans Affairs and other government bodies, we discussed a new approach to recruiting foreign volunteers and the issues that need to be addressed:
- identifying military units capable of recruiting foreign nationals;
- legal residence in Ukraine and obtaining residence permits;
- regulating military service and career advancement;
- support and medical treatment in the event of injury or illness;
- social protection for families, including one-time financial assistance.
The common goal is to develop comprehensive legislative changes that will address existing gaps and provide a clear procedure for every stage of a foreign national’s military service.
Representatives of military units will also participate in the working group to ensure direct communication and help address problems as they arise.
Next steps to improve service conditions for foreign nationals
The working group is intended to become a permanent platform not only for coordination but also for developing practical solutions. Every week, under the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, specialists will work in thematic subgroups whose composition will vary depending on the issue under consideration.
The group’s work is expected to result in draft regulations that will make it possible to implement the agreed changes.
At the same time, the Ministry of Defence is working on broader systemic issues, including personnel policy, opportunities for career advancement, and identifying the units responsible for supporting foreign nationals at every stage of their service — from Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centres and training centres to combat units.
