Putin Eases Russian Citizenship for Ukraine’s Kherson, Zaporizhzhia Regions
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday fast-tracked citizenship for residents of two Ukrainian regions – Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The move prompted protest from Ukraine. Putin also signed a decree in this regard, reported news agency AFP.
Notably, the southern region of Kherson is under full control of Russian troops, while the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia is under partial control of Moscow. Pro-Russian leaders believe that these two regions could become part of Russia in future.
Moscow-appointed deputy leader of the Kherson region Kirill Stremousov said that he was thankful to Putin for protecting the Russian people in historically Russian lands. Ukraine registered protested against the Russian move.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry, in a statement, called it “a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as norms and principles of international humanitarian law”. The United States also raised concerns over the Russian plan of granting citizenship to residents of the two Ukrainian regions.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price accused Russia of subjugating the people of Ukraine. The new order issued by Moscow is in line with the 2019 decree that allowed fast-tracked citizenship for residents of Ukraine’s separatist regions – Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.
On Monday, the ruble was introduced as the official currency alongside the Ukrainian hryvnia in the Kherson region. Notably, many citizens of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions have Russian Passports. Russia started its military operation in Ukraine on February 24.
People from Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, who want to apply for Russian citizenship are reportedly not required to have lived in Russia. They don’t even require to pass a Russian language test. Applications will also be processed within three months.
