Ukraine rages against Putin’s plan – to issue Russian passports

Vladimir Putin wants to help Ukrainians ‘join the big family of Russia’

Residents of occupied cities are now offered Russian passports.

– A flagrant violation of Ukraine’s self-determination, says the Foreign Ministry.

Russia It made it easier for Ukrainians in occupied regions, such as Kherson and Zaporizhia, to apply for Russian citizenship.

A sign that cities are about to become part of Russia, according to a spokesperson.

– The simplified system will make it clear that Russia is not only here for a long time but forever, Kirill Strimosov, deputy leader of the occupied Kherson region, tells RIA Novosti news agency.

There are no requirements to be able to speak Russian or live in Russia to apply. It should be possible to issue passports within three months.

‘grave violation’

Kyiv is angry at the news.

The State Department called the move criminal and says it is further evidence that Russia is trying to take over the cities.

“The illegal issuance of passports is a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the rules and principles of international humanitarian law,” the ministry said in a statement.

Hundreds of thousands of passports have been issued

The passport procedure has already been tested elsewhere in the country.

Since 2019, hundreds of thousands of passports have been distributed to residents of the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, as well as in the annexed Crimea.

“We are very grateful to Russian President Vladimir Putin for everything he is doing for us, and for protecting the Russian people in the historic Russian countries that are now liberated,” said Russian leader Kirill Strimosov.