UKRAINIAN PASSPORT: WHO TO GIVE IT TO AND ON WHAT TERMS

On August 13, President Zelensky signed a decree instructing the Cabinet to draft a bill on simplifying the procedure for acquiring citizenship for defenders of Ukraine and politically oppressed Russians.

Russians who fought for Ukraine will definitely be prosecuted in Russia in case they return there. That is, they just physically have nowhere to go. Among other things, their actions may formally meet the criteria of mercenary activities. And the main thing – they made their choice – were at war for Ukraine with the weapon in hands, and citizenship is probably the least that Ukraine can give to thank them for it.

Oleksandr Chebanenko, the expert on the law enforcement and judicial systems reform programme of the Ukrainian Institute for the Future (UIF)

It is necessary to grant citizenship to those who fought for Ukraine. It should have happened a long time ago. You cannot reward these people sufficiently. Citizenship, medals – this is still too small. They deserve lifelong friendship, support of the country they fought for, for as long as they live. They should get more because they risked their lives for another country.

Secondly, I can’t see anything wrong at all with allowing Russians whose lives and freedom are under danger in Russia to come here and get citizenship.

Glen Grant, the expert on national security and defence of the Ukrainian Institute for the Future.