Russia Introduces Fast-Track Citizenship for DPR and LPR Residents – 04/24/2019

RIA Novosti quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on the protection provided by Russian citizenship: “Russian passports, which can now be obtained through a simplified procedure by residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, provide them with equal rights to all other Russian citizens — including the right to be protected by the Russian state.”

TASS featured the opinion of the Federation Council committee chair regarding the simplified citizenship: “Kosachev: Ukraine forced Russia to take the step of issuing passports to Donbass residents.”

Vesti.ru presented Putin’s remarks and the reactions of DPR and LPR residents: “It wasn’t Russia that isolated the people of Donbass — that was done by the Kyiv authorities, in direct violation of the Minsk agreements... First, Russia is not forcing citizenship on Donbass residents, but simply offering the opportunity. Second, issuing passports does not violate the Minsk agreements. And third, this is a well-known international practice... For many, Russian citizenship is a matter of survival. The decree was met with wide discussion in the DPR and LPR.”

RT Russian analyzed the context and Putin’s comment on the benefits of shared citizenship: “President Vladimir Putin believes that Russians and Ukrainians will benefit from the introduction of shared citizenship. According to him, reciprocal steps by Moscow and Kyiv could make it possible. Newly elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier said that Kyiv is ready to grant Ukrainian citizenship to Russians. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that granting Russian passports to all Ukrainians — not just Donbass residents — is on the Kremlin’s agenda.”

Izvestia reported that residents of the republics had long awaited this decision: “The prospect of obtaining Russian citizenship was welcomed with hope for the future — and concern about Kyiv’s reaction.”

Interfax explained the simplified requirements for DPR and LPR residents: “The simplified procedure allows individuals to obtain a Russian passport without residing in Russia for five years after receiving a residence permit, without proving income, language proficiency, or renouncing foreign citizenship.”

Local Donetsk news agency DAN published the response of the DPR: “On behalf of the Republic, Pushilin expressed gratitude to Putin for the support: ‘I express my heartfelt thanks to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for this crucial decision for our citizens. We have long awaited this step and are overjoyed that this day has come. Thank you.’”

The Lugansk Information Center released a series of reports covering the fast-track citizenship, reactions from politicians, military personnel, volunteers, and local implementation efforts:

• “President of Russia Simplifies Citizenship Process for LPR and DPR Residents”
• “Pasechnik Thanks Russia for Simplifying Citizenship for LPR and DPR Residents”
• “Putin’s Decree Is a Step Toward Realizing Donbass's 2014 Choice – Veteran”
• “LPR Head Orders Local Authorities to Prepare for Document Intake for Issuing Russian Passports”

The Guardian called the decree a test for Ukraine’s new president: “Vladimir Putin rushed to test Ukraine’s newly elected president by signing a decree that may allow millions of Ukrainians living in separatist southeastern regions to obtain Russian passports. The provocative move came just three days after 41-year-old Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian with no political experience, won a landslide in the presidential election.”

The The Telegraph did not report on the topic.

The New York Times described the move as a mechanism for further Russian interference: “This is a textbook element of Moscow’s strategy to create and manipulate ‘frozen conflicts’ in post-Soviet states trying to escape the Kremlin’s orbit — most notably Georgia and Ukraine. Populating the region with Russian citizens who ostensibly require protection gives the Kremlin a built-in pretext for further military intervention if necessary.”

Le Figaro published Zelensky’s call for sanctions in response to the fast-track citizenship: “This decision is further evidence of Russia’s true role as an aggressor state waging war against Ukraine,” the statement read. “President Vladimir Putin’s decree simplified the procedure for residents of Ukraine’s separatist regions to obtain Russian citizenship — now possible within three months after application.”

Italian and Spanish mainstream outlets did not cover the story.

Postimees published Zelensky’s response to Putin’s comments about potentially expanding the offer to all Ukrainians: “We, Ukrainians, have freedom of speech, a free press, and an open internet. That’s why we know exactly what a Russian passport really offers: the right to be arrested for peaceful protest, the right to live without free and fair elections, the right to forget about basic human rights and freedoms.”

UNIAN labeled the move “Putin’s passportization” and relayed the Kremlin’s explanation: “According to the Kremlin, even after obtaining Russian passports, Donbass residents will remain Ukrainian citizens and will be able to participate in municipal elections, in line with the Minsk agreements.”

Ukrainska Pravda reported that the main criteria for changing citizenship will be possession of DPR/LPR documents and surrender of a Ukrainian passport.