Ukraine needs single coordination center for recruiting foreigners into military service – Budanov

According to the Office of the President, Budanov stated this during a meeting with representatives of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and MPs on the recruitment of foreigners and stateless persons for contract service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the National Guard.

Participants discussed the service conditions of foreigners already involved in defending Ukraine, as well as opportunities to expand recruitment. The process of engaging foreign nationals is carried out in compliance with international humanitarian law and Ukrainian legislation.

Budanov noted that recruitment, assessment of fitness for service, and training of foreign contract soldiers are currently handled by different structures, which complicates oversight, coordination of needs, and logistical support.

"Ukraine needs to create a single coordination center for recruiting foreigners into military service. It should be a structural unit covering all stages – from search, selection, and transportation to training, provision, and other needs of foreign nationals," he said.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Pavlo Palisa added that training and provisioning could partly be handled by specific units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces or the National Guard that are interested not only in increasing personnel but also in training recruits according to their own experience and methods.

The meeting also addressed the need to involve interpreters to ensure effective communication.

Participants agreed to work throughout May on establishing the relevant structural unit within the Ministry of Defense, present a development program for recruiting foreigners and stateless persons, and draft legislative proposals to address existing challenges. The new unit is expected to support foreign servicemen throughout their entire period of service.

As previously reported, around 20,000 foreign volunteers are currently serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces or are veterans.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine