Russia has introduced a citizenship scheme to all Ukrainians amid the war. President Vladimir Putin has signed a new decree under which all Ukrainians are entitled to appeal for admission to citizenship in the Russian Federation.
The decree states that citizens of Ukraine, Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) or Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) and people without citizenship permanently living in DPR, LPR or Ukraine are entitled to appeal for admission to citizenship of the Russian Federation.
Ukrainians Will Be Granted Citizenship Via A Simplified Procedure
They will be granted citizenship via a simplified procedure in accordance with the law 'On citizenship of the Russian Federation.
Russia had previously announced a citizenship program, which was only for the residents of Kherson, Zaporozhye, Donbas and Lushank.
The decree also clarified that the military service or law enforcement agencies of Donetsk and Lushank cannot be considered a reason for denying Russian citizenship.
Citizenship Will Cement Russia's Control In Occupied Regions.
Under Russian legislation, the simplified procedure makes it possible to apply for Russian citizenship without fulfilling a number of preconditions, such as living in Russia for five years, having a source of income and undergoing a Russian language examination, according to TASS.
The program was expanded in May 2022, three months into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to include Ukrainians living in the Russia-occupied Kherson region and the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region.
Nearly 40% of the 1,37,700 citizens of former Soviet countries who obtained Russian citizenship in January-April 2022 were from Ukraine, according to Interior Ministry. Kyiv has previously accused Moscow of violating international law by naturalizing Ukrainian citizens, according to The Moscow Times.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry in May called the issuing of passports illegal and stated that it's a flagrant violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as norms and principles of international humanitarian law.
Experts have underlined that Russia's passport scheme for Ukrainians, will cement Kremlin's control in occupied regions.
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