Foreigners receive green light to serve as officers in Ukraine Armed Forces

Ukraine’s national legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, has approved a law that allows foreigners and stateless individuals to serve as officers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine under contract, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on his Facebook page.

A solid majority of 276 lawmakers on Oct. 10 voted for amendments to an existing law on foreigners fighting in Ukraine. This initiative allows citizens from other countries to sign contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Transport Service.

Candidates will be subject to a special screening process at a Foreign Recruitment Center that soon will open. There, officials will verify the legality of their stay in Ukraine and check for any administrative or criminal offenses under Ukrainian law.

The assessment will also consider any connections to foreign intelligence or subversive activities against Ukraine, as well as other factors that could “impede acceptance for military service under contract,” according to the text of the law.

Previously, foreign nationals could only serve in rank-and-file and sergeant positions. 

“The new law strengthens the personnel potential of our military,” the defense minister said. “We continue to work together to bolster our defense forces.”