The Russian government approved amendments to the law on citizenship, according to which citizens of Ukraine and Belarus on the basis of an application can be recognized as native speakers of the Russian language without an interview and examination. This was reported on the website of the government of the Russian Federation.
Now the draft amendments to the law will be introduced in the State Duma of the Russian Federation. This will simplify the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for Ukrainians and Belarusians. Previously, without an interview, only those whose parents were constantly living in Russia or in the USSR, but within the current border of the Russian Federation, could receive the status of a native speaker. The rest passed the exam.
The status of a native speaker of the Russian language allows you to apply for Russian citizenship or a residence permit in a simplified manner.
Recall, on April 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree according to which the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for residents of the occupied regions of Donetsk and Lugansk regions is simplified. And from May 3, the responsible authorities of the Russian Federation began to accept relevant statements.
Ukraine condemned the decision of the Russian president and stated that it would take action. So, on May 8, it became known that the Cabinet of Ministers decided to invalidate Russian passports issued to Ukrainians at two passport issuing points in the Rostov Region.
On August 9, it was reported that European officials began to develop a “unified guide” on “identifying and possibly not recognizing” Russian passports issued to residents of certain regions of Donetsk and Lugansk regions (ORDLO) of Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
