Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree extending a simplified process for obtaining Russian citizenship to all Ukrainians.
Why it is important: the fast track procedure was previously only available in certain parts of Ukraine, and the move to expand it indicates Russia’s goal of expanding its influence within Ukraine.
Overview: Putin initially signed a decree offering a rapid process of Russian naturalization to residents of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2019.
- In May, eligibility for the procedure was extended to the Russian-occupied regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, AP reported.
- Last month, Russian forces issued Russian passports to Ukrainians living in the occupied cities of Kherson and Melitopol.
- Ukrainian officials have not yet responded to the extension of the program to all Ukrainians, according to AP.
Deepen: Russia issues passports to Ukrainians living in two busy cities