Lawmakers in Kyiv have approved draft legislation simplifying the process for foreigners to obtain Ukrainian citizenship if they have served in Ukraine's army.

The bill, adopted by the parliament on January 28, says foreign nationals in the Ukrainian Army are eligible to obtain Ukrainian citizenship in three years instead of the normal five years.

They also are not required to obtain a residence permit before applying for the citizenship.

The bill must be signed by President Petro Poroshenko to become law.

In November, Poroshenko signed a law that made it legal for foreigners to serve in Ukraine's military.

Many volunteers from other countries have joined Ukraine's armed forces and volunteer brigades since early 2014 when conflict broke out between government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Based on reporting by UNIAN and Interfax