Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada has adopted at second reading and as a whole Draft Law No. 14052, which regulates the legal status and medical provision of foreign nationals and stateless persons serving under contract in Ukraine’s armed forces.
The document updates procedures for processing documents for foreigners and stateless persons who have signed contracts for military service and brings legislation into line with the principles of equality and fairness, the Verkhovna Rada’s press service reported. It extends certain social guarantees to foreigners and stateless persons serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine, and the National Guard.
The law introduces amendments to several legislative acts, including the laws On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons, On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine to Ensure the Realization of the Right to Acquire and Retain Citizenship of Ukraine, and On the Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Members of Their Families.
In particular, foreigners and stateless persons who have lawfully concluded contracts for military service will be issued temporary residence permits for the duration of the contract and for an additional three months after its termination, except in certain cases of early termination. The law also establishes a list of documents required to obtain such permits.
In addition, the law allows the submission of passport documents with expired validity or documents subject to replacement. This applies in cases where obtaining a new passport would require contacting the authorities of the country of citizenship or previous permanent residence if that country has committed armed aggression against Ukraine or does not recognize its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
For foreigners and stateless persons who concluded contracts for military service before the law enters into force, a six-month period is set for applying for a temporary residence permit.
The law also shortens the timeframe for the entry into force of citizenship legislation to three months and reduces the period allotted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to prepare the necessary by-laws.
At the same time, the law On the Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Members of Their Families stipulates that it generally does not apply to foreign servicemen and stateless persons. Exceptions are made for provisions on monetary remuneration, medical care, and leave.
According to the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the law will help address practical and legal challenges faced by Belarusian volunteers, from legalization of stay to social guarantees and protection of their rights. The bill was supported by 291 lawmakers.
Work on the draft law had been ongoing for a long time and began in March after a roundtable in Kyiv, where Tsikhanouskaya’s team presented proposals collected from Belarusian volunteers to the Ukrainian side.
“The adoption of the law is good news and the result of joint efforts. Now it is necessary to ensure its implementation and further improve the norms in the interests of Belarusian volunteers,” said Anatol Liabedzka, adviser to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on parliamentary cooperation.
