The Ministry of Defense plans to establish a coordination center for foreign military personnel

The proposal to establish a single Coordination Center within the Ministry of Defense for foreign nationals who will serve in the ranks of the Ukrainian Defense Forces is already under consideration and may be resolved in the near future. The main goal of the future unit is to establish a single coordination hub that will cover all key stages—from selection and transportation rules to support for subsequent service and logistics. 

This was reported by the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

Budanov confirmed that consideration of this issue has intensified due to certain problems, as various agencies are currently involved in the recruitment and training of contract soldiers from other countries. In turn, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, while presenting the army reform plan to members of the Verkhovna Rada, also noted that the ministry plans to expand the recruitment of foreigners into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Such steps are part of a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing issues with mobilization and instances of desertion.

Preliminary agreements on the creation of a corresponding structural unit within the Ministry of Defense were reached during a meeting with representatives of the Defense Forces and members of parliament. The new center is intended to ensure a clear system of oversight and coordination of needs, supporting foreign military personnel and stateless individuals throughout the duration of their contracts. Currently, all developed plans and options for integrating foreign citizens into the Ukrainian army are undergoing active discussion with experts and combat commanders directly on the front lines.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine disbanded the international legions, despite the military’s outrage.

As a reminder, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a decree introducing a visa-free entry regime to Ukraine, effective March 1, 2022, for citizens of foreign states wishing to join the International Legion of the Defense of Ukraine, with the exception of citizens of the aggressor state.