Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the decision of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to simplify the procedure for granting Russian citizenship to residents of the separatist region of Moldova, Transnistria, demonstrates that Russia’s interests extend far beyond Donbas.
This is reported by Finway
Expansion of Russia’s claims: context of the decree
In his evening address, Zelensky highlighted that this new step by the Kremlin not only creates conditions for attracting new conscripts but also attempts to designate Transnistria as a territory of its interests. The President of Ukraine noted that despite official statements from Moscow about limiting interests to Donbas, Russia’s actions indicate the opposite.
“This specific step means not only that Russia is looking for new soldiers, as citizenship implies military duty. It also marks Transnistria as supposedly its territory. They often tell various interlocutors in Moscow that they are only interested in Donbas. In reality, it is far from just Donbas. We must respond to this. Moreover, the Russian military contingent and the presence of intelligence services in Transnistria pose a challenge for us as well. We are interested in a stable, strong Moldova,” Zelensky said in his evening address on May 16.
Volodymyr Zelensky reported that he has already discussed this situation with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish contacts with Chisinau for a joint assessment and development of coordinated actions in response to Moscow’s decision.
Implications for the region and Ukraine’s position
The President of Ukraine also expects proposals from Ukrainian intelligence and security services regarding possible responses to Russia’s actions, emphasizing that Russia should be more concerned about its own infrastructure rather than citizenship issues for residents of other countries.
On May 15, it became known that Putin signed a decree allowing residents of Transnistria to obtain Russian citizenship through a simplified process. From now on, adult foreigners and stateless persons who permanently reside in Transnistria can take advantage of this procedure without the need for five years of residence in Russia, or passing exams in language, history, or legislation.
Applications for citizenship will be accepted at Russian diplomatic missions and consulates. The decree states that such changes are implemented “to protect the rights and freedoms of man and citizen.”
Transnistria remains a separatist region of Moldova, which has been effectively outside the control of the central authorities in Chisinau since 1992. Although Russia officially recognizes the territorial integrity of Moldova, it provides Transnistria with support in political, economic, and military spheres.
A Russian military contingent of approximately 1,200-1,500 troops has been stationed in the region since the 1990s. Moscow insists on the legality of their presence under the 1992 agreement, while Chisinau insists on the withdrawal of Russian troops, considering their presence illegal.
In April, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Sergey Shoigu, stated that over 220,000 Russians live in Transnistria, whose interests, according to the Kremlin, are allegedly threatened by the authorities of Ukraine and Moldova.