Zelensky instructs Ukrainian PM to consider introducing mandatory citizenship acquisition test

MOSCOW. July 11 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to thoroughly consider introducing a mandatory test for the acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship in response to a petition.

According to Ukrainian media outlets, the president has thus responded to an online petition No. 22/140008-ep on the need to introduce a mandatory test for obtaining Ukrainian citizenship.

"The introduction of a mandatory test for the acquisition of citizenship of Ukraine will require legislative regulation. [...] This is why I requested Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to consider the issue raised in the online petition thoroughly," Zelensky said, responding to the petition.

The author of the online petition will be informed about the results of the consideration of the issues raised in it, the response to the petition said.

According to the text of the petition, its author proposed introducing a mandatory exam for the acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship which would include a Ukrainian language proficiency test, a Ukrainian history test, a test of the knowledge of the constitution of Ukraine and the knowledge of Ukraine's national anthem.