The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns the decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 11 July 2022, which provides for a simplified procedure for granting the Russian citizenship to all citizens of Ukraine.

The mentioned decision is yet another encroachment on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, inconsistent with the norms and principles of international law.

The decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 11 July 2022 amends previous decrees on the simplified procedure for granting the Russian citizenship to residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, now extending its effect to the rest of Ukrainian territory. This move testifies, in particular, to the continuation of the Kremlin’s course of seizing Ukrainian lands, the destruction of the Ukrainian State, and the forced assimilation of the Ukrainian nation.

Passportization of Ukrainian citizens is legally null and void, thus it will have no legal consequences for Ukraine. Nevertheless, Russia applies a simplified procedure for issuing passports to tighten the noose around the necks of residents of the temporarily occupied territories of our country, forcing them to participate in the criminal activities of the occupation administrations and the Russian invading army.

“Ukrainian citizens do not need Putin's citizenship, while the attempts to impose it by force are doomed to failure. This decree is worthless, since it demonstrates only Putin's aggressive appetites. I am convinced that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will put an end to them with the proper support of partners. That is why, it is vitally important now to increase assistance to our State. I call on our partners to react strongly to Putin’s passport fantasies by supplying Ukraine urgently with more heavy weapons and imposing new economic sanctions on Russia”, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba emphasized.

Any delays in doing so will only encourage Russia to commit further crimes against Ukraine and destroy peace and security in the world.