Putin signs decree simplifying Russian citizenship for Transnistria residents

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a decree titled "On the Admission to Citizenship of the Russian Federation of Residents of Transnistria," simplifying the process for residents of the unrecognized region to obtain Russian citizenship.

Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu characterized the move as potentially linked to military recruitment efforts. "The Russian passport is becoming the passport of an aggressor country that is not accepted at the table of the civilized world. I think the Kremlin's decision is connected to an attempt to recruit as many soldiers as possible for the front, given that recruitment rates have recently declined," Munteanu said.

Munteanu cautioned Transnistria residents about the implications of accepting Russian citizenship. "The head of the Moldovan government urged Transnistria residents to 'be careful and remember that citizenship entails not only benefits but also obligations.' Citizenship is not only freedom of movement, but also clear obligations," he said, referencing taxes and mandatory payments.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also responded to the decree. In his evening address, Zelensky instructed Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage with Moldova on joint actions regarding the situation. "Today, I spoke with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, about the situation surrounding Transnistria. Just recently, Russia took another step regarding Transnistria – the Russians simplified access to citizenship for people originating from this region of Moldova. It is a very telling move. It means not only that Russia is looking for new soldiers in this way – because citizenship also entails military obligation – it is also Russia's way of staking a claim to Transnistria's territory," Zelensky stated.

Zelensky further noted that Moscow's interests extend beyond the Donbas region. "Those in Moscow often tell various interlocutors that supposedly only Donbas interests them. In reality, far more than Donbas is at stake," he said.

The Russian embassy in Moldova defended the decree, stating it was motivated by humanitarian considerations. An official told TASS that "the adoption of this decree, as indicated in the text of the document, is dictated solely by humanitarian considerations. The decision seems extremely timely against the background of increasing pressure on Transnistria from Chisinau, which negatively affects, among other things, the socio-economic situation on the left bank."

The Russian embassy also called on Moldova to resume constructive dialogue with Transnistria. In a statement, the embassy said Russia is "determined to prevent relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol from escalating and calls on Moldova to engage in constructive dialogue." The embassy rejected accusations that Russia was violating Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity, characterizing such claims as "a hypocritical attempt to cover up double standards against the background of the practice of mass distribution of Romanian citizenship."