MOSCOW. April 24 (Interfax-AVN) - CIS citizens will be permitted to join the Russian Armed Forces on a contract basis. The federal government approved a proposal made by the Defense Ministry to this effect on Thursday, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said at a press conference.
"That would be a great help," he said.
Citizens of CIS member countries who sign a three-year contract with the Russian Armed Forces will be allowed to become Russian citizens after their contract expires, Ivanov said.
At present, it takes five years for CIS citizens to be naturalized in Russia.
In addition, citizens of Russia and the CIS who complete the first three-year army contract will enjoy financial benefits for receiving a college education, the minister said.