Putin introduces simplified procedure of acquiring Russian citizenship for DPR, LPR residents
MOSCOW. April 24 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting out which groups of people are for humanitarian reasons entitled to apply for Russian citizenship in a simplified manner.
According to the decree, people who permanently reside in certain districts of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions have such a right.
The Russian president made the decision "in order to protect a human and citizen's rights and freedoms" based on "commonly recognized principles and norms of international law" in accordance with the Russian law on citizenship dated May 31, 2002, the decree said.
Applications from the aforementioned people "are considered within a three-month period" from the day the necessary list of documents is submitted, it said.
Citizenship will be granted on the day the relevant decision is made.
The decree takes effect on the day of its publication.