Zelensky wants to grant second citizenship to ethnic Ukrainians living abroad

Moreover, the people whose rights and freedoms are violated in their countries will be able to obtain a Ukrainian passport under a simplified procedure, the Ukraine’s Presidential Office reports.

"The President of Ukraine instructs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to elaborate a mechanism for granting Ukrainian citizenship as the second to ethnic Ukrainians from friendly countries who seek to join the process of development of their historic homeland. Furthermore, Volodymyr Zelensky also instructs to elaborate a mechanism for granting Ukrainian citizenship under a simplified procedure to people who suffer from violations of rights and freedoms in their countries," the statement reads.

The Presidential Office condemned signing of a decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin on providing expedited Russian citizenship for Ukrainians.

"We understand that this decree is aimed at our citizens who are forced to live in the temporarily occupied territories. This step puts additional obstacles on the path of de-escalation of the conflict and reintegration of Donbas, the commitment to which Russia's leadership has declared repeatedly," the statement underscores.

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