Ukrainian FM backs idea of 'multiple citizenship' for Ukrainians

MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax) - Multiple citizenship for Ukrainians should become one of the elements of the state policy aimed at safeguarding and development the Ukrainian community worldwide, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said.

"Millions of Ukrainians have left abroad [...] We will encourage their return home in every possible way. But we also understand that many of them will stay abroad. In these conditions, it is crucial to maintain their connection to the homeland. It is about the future of Ukraine and Ukrainians. Therefore, one of the elements of the state policy aimed at preserving and developing the worldwide Ukrainian community should be multiple citizenship," Ukrainian media quoted Kuleba as saying at the 12th Ukrainian World Congress.

Ukraine has long been holding a difficult discussion on this issue, he said.

"We should be guided not by the fear of granting foreign passports in Ukraine but by the strength of the Ukrainian passport in Ukraine and in the world. We should enable the millions of Ukrainians living abroad to keep or obtain a Ukrainian passport. We should accept as a given that with Ukraine's accession to the European Union, Ukrainian passports will have the same status as the passports of neighboring EU countries," he said.

This policy ought to be implemented wisely, gradually, starting with "friendly and allied countries," the foreign minister said.

At the same time, dual citizenship with Russia "or unfriendly countries must be prohibited," Kuleba said.