People watch tanks of local self-defens eforces in the center of Donetsk during the WWII Victory Day parade on May 9, 2017. Photo: AFP
On April 24, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin signed a decree, which makes it possible for residents of certain regions of southeastern Ukraine to obtain Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure.
“Individuals permanently residing in certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Lugansk regions have the right to apply for Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure,” the document published on the Kremlin’s website says.
Еhe document notes that the decision has been made “in order to protect human rights and freedoms” based on generally accepted international laws.
The Russian Interior Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Federal Security Service (FSB) and National Guard have been instructed to take measures to ensure the decree’s implementation. The decree entered into force on the day of its publication.
