On March 14, 2023, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a law according to which citizens of Ukraine, who obtained Russian passports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, can denounce their Ukrainian citizenship on submitting a respective application to the Russian authorities.

Thus, the Russian Federation tries to legitimize the attempt of annexation of the captured Ukrainian territories and the illegal passportisation of their residents.

The law of the State Duma of Russia blatantly violates the legislation of Ukraine and the norms of international law. It is null and void and has no legal consequences. Citizens of Ukraine, who live in the temporarily occupied territories, retain their Ukrainian citizenship despite Russian legislation.

The procedure for termination of Ukrainian citizenship is clearly defined by the current legislation of Ukraine. All holders of Ukrainian passports, who do not undergo through the procedure of renouncing citizenship provided for by Ukrainian legislation, remain citizens of Ukraine and can count on the protection of the Ukrainian state within the framework of the Constitution and the laws of Ukraine.

We call on the international community to resolutely condemn Russia's another crime and to increase military assistance to Ukraine for the fastest liberation of the temporarily occupied territories.