Borrell: EU will not recognise Russian passports issued to Ukrainians in violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty

“The new Russian legislation simplifying the procedure for all Ukrainians to obtain RU citizenship is yet another flagrant violation of UA sovereignty” linked to Russia’s illegal war, EU High Representative Josep Borrell said on Twitter on 13 July.

On 12 July, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered all Ukrainians the opportunity to acquire Russian citizenship in a simplified procedure. Previously, only residents of four Ukrainian regions had this opportunity.

“The EU will not recognise these passports,” said Borrell. He recalled the EU’s position that “any attempts to alter the status of parts of Ukrainian territory are a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter and Ukraine’s Constitution, they further undermine sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and will not be recognised by the European Union.” 

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