Russia’s new dual citizenships – a concern for the West?

LAAS LEIVAT

In Russia, pending legislation probably will result in simplifying the attainment of Russian citizenship. Namely, applicants will not have to renounce their existing citizenship.

It’s expected that those applying, mainly Russian-speakers abroad, would not have to fulfill continuous residency requirements, a stipulation for most countries.

Countries with sizeable Russian expats are concerned about the understanding of the changes by ultra-nationalists such as State Duma member Konstantin Zatulin who would actively promote the issuing of Russian passports to the millions of ethnic Russians already in foreign countries. This population is estimated to be approximately 30,000,000.

He said, “Millions of our fellow Russians abroad want Russian citizenship, if they don’t have to abandon their foreign pass.” This would add some 10 million more citizens to the Russian current total.

Observers say that the Russian speaking community of separatist controlled and Russian-backed part of eastern Ukraine would be the main object of the changes to existing citizenship legislation. This exposes the Kremlin’s motivation for this.

One is reminded of Putin’s dismissal of the West’s protest after Russian troops, disguised as local Ukrainian residents attacked Eastern Ukraine in 2014. Russia’s military occupation of the area and armed conflict continues to this day.

(Full story available via link below)