Estonia not to recognize Russian passports issued to Donbas residents

The decision enters into force immediately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia says in a statement on Monday, August 5.

According to Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu, the step is a response to the regulation signed by the Russian President in April that allows the expedited granting of Russian citizenship to the residents of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. 

"Granting expedited Russian citizenship to the residents of eastern Ukraine is another attempt to undermine the independence of Ukraine and perpetuate the current unstable security situation in eastern Ukraine. It goes completely against the spirit of the Minsk agreements. Today's decision by Estonia reflects our fundamental condemnation of Russia’s ambitions of this nature," Reinsalu explained.

The Estonian foreign minister raised the subject of issuing expedited passports at the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union in May. On June 20, the European Council expressed grave concern on the issue and its readiness to consider the non-recognition of these Russian passports. “I believe that other member states of the European Union and the international community in general will soon make similar decisions. It is our duty to continue to actively support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” he said.

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