Putin eases citizenship requirements for DPR and LPR residents
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that simplifies the process of obtaining Russian citizenship for the residents of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. The document has been published on the Kremlin’s website.
The decree states that the applications of the LPR and DPR residents to receive Russian passport will be considered in three months. Applications from citizens of other countries will be considered from three months to half a year, and the processing period can be extended.
The decree comes into force from the date of publication.
Last December, Putin signed a law according to which he has the right to determine which categories of foreign nationals are allowed to apply for Russian citizenship in a simplified manner. Then, the Interior Ministry of Russia stated that this applies, first of all, to the residents of the southeastern Ukraine.
In 2017, Putin signed a decree allowing the Russian authorities to recognize documents issued in the territories of Ukraine which are controlled by pro-Russian militants.
Under the new decree LPR and DPR residents can apply for Russian citizenship using the passports issued in the DPR and LPR.