Ukrainian citizens will need to hand over their weapons after the end of the war with Russia. This applies to weapons issued for the defense of the state as well as trophy weapons.
Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klymenko stated this in an interview with journalist Natalia Moseichuk, according to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
"Citizens will have to hand over their weapons (after the end of the war)," Klymenko said.
Responding to questions about the legislation on weapons, which has not yet been adopted, and the fact that many Ukrainians have weapons due to the war, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized that the legislation will soon be revised and adopted.
According to him, there are two draft laws.
"The first one is the law on national resistance, which will determine the fate of acquired in some way, issued or trophy weapons. The second one is the law on civilian weapons, which is also being revised," the minister informed.
He explained that the goal is for any weapon that has somehow ended up in the hands of Ukrainians, including trophy weapons, not to be hidden away for many years and then used for criminal purposes or in political processes.
Klymenko said that after the relevant law is adopted, citizens will need to inform about the presence of such weapons and within 90 days after the end of the state of war, hand it over to units of the National Police.
The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs noted that besides surrendering such weapons, the draft law will provide for options for their disposal – demilitarization, processing into permitted types of weapons, and so on.
"We also propose to hand over trophy weapons taken from the enemy. This includes automatic weapons – rifles. It is clear that grenade launchers are illegal after the war – they must be handed over to units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system," he said.
The minister stated that the second law - on civilian weapons - will determine who can be issued weapons and what kind. This includes, in particular, short-barreled weapons (pistols).
"We need to make our country safe. To ensure that weapons in the hands of our citizens are understandable to other citizens," Klymenko emphasized.
