Unlawful decision by the Russian Federation

Per-Kaare Holdal 04 May 2019

Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in relation to new unlawful decision by the Russian Federation on expedited Russian citizenship for certain categories of citizens of Ukraine

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses its resolute protest over a new step of the Kremlin regime that expands the list of categories of citizens of Ukraine, eligible to be granted a Russian citizenship under a fast-track procedure. This is yet another fact of flagrant violation by the Russian Federation of international law and the sovereignty of Ukraine.

The executive order by the president of the Russian Federation No 187 “On certain categories of foreign citizens and stateless persons entitled to a fast-track procedure when applying for Russian citizenship”, signed on 29 April and made public today, as well as all previous and potential future Russian legislation on illegal “passportization” of the Ukrainian citizens, have been and will be null and void, have no legal consequences and will not be recognized by the Ukrainian side.

We deem it to be extremely cynical that the Russian side attempts to explain the goal of the above decisions as “protection of rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens”. The truth is that the rights and freedoms of citizens of Ukraine have been flagrantly violated since the beginning of the Russian military aggression and Russia’s occupation of the part of the sovereign territory of Ukraine – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol and the territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

The MFA of Ukraine resolutely demands from the Russian side to revoke immediately all unlawful decisions on “passportization” of the Ukrainian citizens and to remove their negative consequences.

Ukraine reserves its right to take all measures it shall deem efficient to protect the national security, legitimate rights and interests of citizens of Ukraine according to international law and its national legislation.

The Ukrainian side will further cooperate with the international partners towards strengthening consolidated sanction pressure on the Kremlin regime. Ukrainian missions abroad have been instructed to inform the foreign capitals on “passport aggression” of the Russian Federation.

We expect our international partners to further strengthen sanctions against the Kremlin regime.

A respective note of protest will be immediately delivered to the Russia’s Foreign Ministry.