MOSCOW -

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing all citizens of Ukraine to obtain Russian citizenship in a simplified manner. What is new about this decree?

How can I obtain Russian citizenship?

Accordingly, citizens of any region of Ukraine, citizens of Donetsk and Lugansk regions are entitled to apply for Russian citizenship under the new procedures.

Thus, the list of categories that fall under the preferential procedure for obtaining Russian passports has expanded.

Russian observers believe that the new decree is intended primarily to help solve the problems of many Ukrainians who have been living in Russia for a long time, as well as those residing in areas under the control of Russian forces.

The rule is that Russian citizenship is acquired by birth, or as a result of acceptance or restoration, as well as in the event of a change in the borders of the Russian state in accordance with an international treaty.

What does simplified obtaining of Russian citizenship mean?

To obtain citizenship in a simplified procedure, the applicant does not need a permit to live or reside in the Russian Federation for 5 years, as well as confirmation of a legal source of livelihood.

In addition, the period for examining documents and documents in such cases does not exceed 6 months.

The decision to grant citizenship is made by the heads of the territorial bodies of the Ministry of the Interior in the regions of the country, and sometimes by the heads of Russian diplomatic and consular institutions abroad.

The embassy of the so-called Donetsk Republic opens its doors in Moscow (Reuters)

Who can generally obtain Russian citizenship under the simplified procedure?

More than 20 different categories of foreigners or stateless persons can apply for Russian citizenship in a simplified form, and these are:

They were born on the territory of the RSFSR and had the citizenship of the former USSR.

Married for at least 3 years to a citizen of the Russian Federation, who is a resident of Russia.

Married a citizen of the Russian Federation, resides on the territory of Russia and raises joint children.

Has at least one parent who is a citizen of the Russian Federation and residing on Russian territory.

- brings up adult and capable children of citizens of the Russian Federation.

Received a professional education in Russia under government programs after July 1, 2002, and worked legally in the Russian Federation for at least one year (with insurance premiums deducted by the employer to the pension fund).

Worked in Russia for at least one year in a specialty included in a separate list of the Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation, with the employer deducting insurance premiums to the Pension Fund.

Is a citizen of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova or Ukraine.

Recognized as a native speaker of the Russian language in accordance with Article 33.1 of the Law “On Citizenship in the Russian Federation”.

Participated in the state program for assistance in the voluntary resettlement of citizens in Russia (with their family members).

Veterans of the Great Patriotic War (World War II) who hold the citizenship of the former Soviet Union and live in Russia.

What has changed now after President Putin's decree?

With this new decree, the residents of Ukraine also joined the categories of citizens applying for Russian citizenship according to the simplified procedure, with all the rights and duties defined by the Russian Constitution.

Previously, this measure was valid only for indigenous citizens of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics, as well as for citizens of the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions of Ukraine, all of which are under the control of Russian forces.

Celebration in Donetsk after Russia recognized the so-called Donetsk Republic (Anatolia)

Who can automatically obtain Russian citizenship?

The decree states that children born in the Kherson region after February 24, as well as orphans, will automatically receive Russian citizenship.

According to the deputy head of the civil-military administration in Kherson, Kirill Strimosov, there is an "excessive demand" for Russian passports in the region.

What conditions included in the new decree for obtaining Russian citizenship?

The opportunity to apply for a Russian passport in a simplified way is available to citizens of Ukraine, stateless persons who have a migration card, a temporary residence permit, a residence permit in the Russian Federation, a refugee certificate, a certificate of temporary asylum on the territory of the Russian Federation or a certificate of a participant in the state program of assistance in Voluntary resettlement of citizens living abroad, as well as their children, spouses and guardians.

Has obtaining Russian citizenship in those regions become mandatory?

The Director of the International Institute for the Studies of Contemporary Countries Alexei Martynov says that no one can force anyone to become a Russian citizen, and "the decree does not refer to the forced acquisition of Russian citizenship, but rather came to meet the requests that began to abound in recent days among the population to obtain citizenship." .

How many citizens of the Russian Federation live in Donetsk and Lugansk?

Beginning in early 2021, 860,000 residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics received Russian passports in a simplified manner.

It is noteworthy that 2.24 million people live in Donetsk and 1.42 million people in Lugansk.

According to Russian official data for the month of March of this year, 23.5% of the citizens of the two regions obtained Russian passports.