Kyiv calls on world community not to recognize Russian passports issued to Donbas residents

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry voiced protest against the opening of Russia-based centers that issue passports to Ukrainian citizens living in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The Foreign Ministry stated this in a statement due to Russia's continued violation of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

"The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine expresses its strong protest against the launch of centers in Rostov region, Russia, that issue passports of the Russian Federation to citizens of Ukraine who reside in districts temporarily occupied by Russia in Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine," reads the statement.

"Ukraine is urging its international partners not to recognize and not to accept documents issued by Russia in violation of the Ukrainian constitution and laws to citizens of Ukraine living in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as any transactions carried out with such documents," the ministry said.

As Ukrinform reported, on April 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that allows residents of the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine to obtain Russian passports under a simplified procedure.

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