Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on Monday that will fast track Russian citizenship for all Ukrainians, not just those living in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, according to Russian state media. Earlier in May, attempts were made to fast track Russian citizenship applications in the Russian controlled regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson amid reports that independence referendums would be held in an attempt for future annexation.
The fast tracking of citizenship to any Ukrainian citizen is another step of “Russification” that is being done in Russian controlled areas of Ukraine. Russian officials have previously expressed that they have no intention of willfully withdrawing from areas in Ukrainian that have been captured, so this latest decree is part of their long term strategy of remaining in the country and self legitimizing future rulings.
