“Russian Decree Allows Deportation of Occupied Ukrainian Territory Residents Without Russian Citizenship”

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing the deportation of residents of occupied Ukrainian territories who have not accepted Russian citizenship.

This decree requires Ukrainian citizens or holders of “passports” from the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic” to either become Russian citizens or declare their unwillingness to do so. Those who choose the second option will be considered foreigners as of July 1, 2024 and may be deported if they are recognized as a threat to Russia’s national security.

“They want Ukrainians to either become Russians or leave the temporarily occupied territories. First of all, it is impossible to turn Ukrainians into Russians. Forced passports or repression will not help. Second, who said that Russians will live long in the temporarily occupied territories?” stated Vereshchuk.