Ukraine's president signs law allowing foreigners in armed forces
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 3 November 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ukraine's president signs law allowing foreigners in armed forces, 3 November 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56813ce015.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 03, 2015
By Crimean Desk, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed into law a bill that allows foreign citizens to serve in Ukraine's armed forces.
The legislation, which had been passed by the parliament in Kyiv on October 6, allows foreigners a legal possibility to serve under a contract in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other military formations.
A statement from Poroshenko's office said the law "will increase the combat capability of Ukraine's military forces" by receiving "several combat-capable, experienced and motivated battalion-level units with a total number of up to 1,000 personnel."
Poroshenko's office said the influx of foreigners also would "help reduce the need for the conscription of Ukrainian citizens as part of mobilization" in response to fighting with Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
With reporting by Interfax and 1+1 TV
Link to original story on RFE/RL website