MEPs condemn Putin’s decision on simplified issuing of Russian passports in Donbas

MEPs condemn Putin’s decision on simplified issuing of Russian passports in Donbas

Ukrinform
Members of the European Parliament condemned the Russian decree enabling the simplified issuing of passports in occupied areas of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The joint statement was published on the website of the European Parliament.

The statement was signed by Michael Gahler, the Foreign Affairs Committee standing rapporteur on Ukraine, Rebecca Harms, the Chair of the EP Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, and Dariusz Rosati, the Chair of the EP Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee.

“We condemn the decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 24 April 2019 establishing a simplified procedure to apply for Russian citizenship and therefore to apply for Russian passports for those persons who permanently reside in certain areas of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” the document reads.

The Russian decree is unacceptable and demonstrates, once again, the Russian authorities’ lack of respect for the sovereignty of Ukraine and international law. It also shows Russia’s continuous intentions to destabilize Ukraine, just three days after the Ukrainian people peacefully elected a new President through competitive elections.

The decree follows the Russian trend of issuing passports in areas with protracted conflicts in Eastern Partnership countries that are not under the control of their national governments, thereby deepening tensions in these regions. Unequivocally, the decree further weakens the expectations of the international community that the Minsk Agreements should be fully implemented.

The European Parliament in its 12 December 2018 Resolution on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement reiterated its condemnation of Russian aggression in the eastern part of Ukraine. Furthermore, the European Parliament in its 12 March 2019 Resolution on the state of EU-Russia political relations, called for confidence-building measures in Donbas region. This new Russian decree follows a complete opposite policy.

“We remain committed to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and ask Russia to implement their commitments under the Minsk Agreements,“ the MEPs stressed.

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