The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses its resolute protest over the new attempt by the Russian authorities to expand the simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship to Ukrainian citizens residing in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Russia’s actions constitute an act of unambiguous interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine as an independent and sovereign state. This attempt also poses a serious threat to security across the entire European continent.

It speaks volumes that this provocation was undertaken in response to the de-escalation initiatives recently undertaken on the Ukrainian side. Despite numerous statements on its aspirations for peace, the Kremlin’s actions indicate a clear intention to continue its hybrid war against Ukraine.

We reiterate that Ukraine will not recognise the Kremlin’s decrees on “passportization“.
The MFA of Ukraine resolutely demands that Russia immediately revokes all aggressive decisions regarding Ukraine and invalidates their negative consequences.

Against the backdrop of these latest Kremlin actions, the MFA has already prepared for consideration by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine a list of measures to defend national security, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of Ukrainian citizens, in accordance with international law and Ukrainian legislation.

We demand that Russia ceases this act of undermining the peace efforts within the Normandy format and Trilateral Contact Group and that instead Russia starts implementing its obligations.

We expect our international partners not to recognize these Russian documents and any legal acts, as well as to strengthen individual and sectoral sanctions as these are the only international instruments that will force the Kremlin to abide by the peace process.