The European Union strongly condemns the decrees of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which provide for a simplified procedure for granting Russian citizenship to Ukrainians. This was stated in a statement by the head of the EU Foreign Affairs Service, Josep Borrell.
It is noted that the EU does not recognize these passports issued as part of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
"The European Union strongly condemns any Russian attempts to replace the democratically elected and legitimate Ukrainian administration," the statement said.
In addition, the EU condemns attempts to introduce the Russian ruble as a parallel currency to the Ukrainian hryvnia, as well as attempts to impose Russian curricula and change the language of instruction in schools in those parts of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions that are now under illegal control of Russian armed forces.
It is noted that any attempts to change the status of parts of Ukrainian territory are a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter and the Constitution of Ukraine, they further undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and will not be recognized by the EU.
Borrell assures that Russia, its political leadership and all those involved in violations of international law will be held accountable for these illegal actions.
The EU remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and calls on Russia to immediately withdraw all of its troops from Ukraine.
It should be recalled that Putin simplified the procedure for granting Russian citizenship to all Ukrainians. Previously, the simplified procedure applied to residents of the occupied Donbass, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Ukrainian-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
