Putin simplifies issuance of Russian passports to all Donbas residents

President of Russia Vladimir Putin has simplified the process of obtaining Russian citizenship for all Ukrainian citizens residing in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and not only in the occupied areas of Donbas.

The relevant decree was published on the official internet-portal of legal information of the Russian Federation.

This document amends the decree of April 29, 2019. In particular, the clause on the provision of the residents of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions with the right to acquire Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure misses the words "certain areas".

As reported, on May 1, 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the Decree “On Defining the Categories of Persons Entitled to Apply for Citizenship of the Russian Federation under Simplified Procedure for Humanitarian Purposes.” In particular, the decree states that the residents of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine have the right to apply for acquiring the citizenship of the Russian Federation under a simplified procedure.

Ukraine and many democratic countries of the world condemned the Kremlin’s decision.

ish