Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has announced his intention to sign a decree granting Ukrainian citizenship to foreigners who are working to protect the sovereignty of Ukraine.

“I want to convey my greetings to my brothers in arms: your appeal to the president of Ukraine as regards the Ukrainian citizenship for Belarusians and Russians who have taken arms to defend the honor and independence of the state… As I promised, I will sign a decree granting Ukrainian citizenship to them. They have passed the test,” Poroshenko said at the Verkhovna Rada on Dec. 2.