Putin has simplified the process of obtaining Russian citizenship for residents of Transnistria

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has signed a decree titled “On Granting Citizenship of the Russian Federation to Residents of Transnistria,” which simplifies the procedure for obtaining a Russian passport for residents of the unrecognized region of Moldova.

This was reported by The Moscow Times. 

According to the document, foreign citizens and stateless persons aged 18 and older who are permanently residing in Transnistria at the time the decree takes effect are eligible for simplified Russian citizenship.

A separate procedure for obtaining citizenship is also provided for minors and legally incapacitated persons.

Applications for a Russian passport must be submitted to Russian diplomatic or consular missions using the established forms.

The document states that the decision was adopted “with the aim of protecting human and civil rights and freedoms” and is based on “universally recognized principles and norms of international law.”

Previously, Putin had already signed similar decrees simplifying the process of obtaining Russian citizenship for residents of the occupied territories of Georgia—Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Mechanisms for the mass issuance of passports in these regions with extended processing times were also in place.

Transnistria is a self-proclaimed entity on the territory of Moldova that is not recognized by any UN member state. Since 1992, a Russian military contingent, estimated at approximately 1,000–1,500 troops, has been stationed in the region.

The region is heavily dependent on Russia economically and politically and remains one of the “frozen conflicts” in the post-Soviet space. Moldova has repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops, but Moscow and Tiraspol state that they will remain until the “conflict is resolved.”