Russia Changes Citizenship Procedure: Putin Signs New Decree

Under a new decree from the President of the Russian Federation, adult residents of the region can apply to diplomatic missions.

The newly ratified decree by President Vladimir Putin establishes a special, simplified procedure for residents of Transnistria to obtain Russian citizenship. According to the published document, foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in the region are now eligible to apply for a passport.

The implementation of this process and the acceptance of applications have been delegated to Russia's diplomatic representations and consular offices. This move aims to expedite and simplify the documentation for local residents.

It is noteworthy that a significant number of Russian citizens currently reside in the unrecognized republic of Transnistria. According to data presented by the region's leader, Vadim Krasnoselsky, in 2019, the number of Russian citizens in Transnistria reached at least 220,000.