Russia’s decision to loosen citizenship rules for residents of Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova, was announced by Russian state media as a new decree signed by President Vladimir Putin took effect. Russian media said the Kremlin approved the measures as a way “to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens,” citing “generally recognized principles and norms of international law.” The reporting described the changes as applying to permanent residents of Transnistria over age 18 who seek Russian citizenship.
Under the decree described in the report, applicants would move through a simplified process rather than meeting additional proof requirements that are normally expected. Russian state media said the proposal would remove the need for applicants to demonstrate knowledge of Russian language, Russian history and Russian legislation.
The decree also would change the residency expectations for people applying from Transnistria. The reporting said the new rules would exempt applicants from having to show that they lived in Russia for five years before making their citizenship applications.
Transnistria declared independence from Moldova in the early 1990s after a short war, and Russia has continued to support the region’s separate status. The AP report said the independence is not recognized by any U.N. member country, including Russia, even as Moscow maintains strong ties to the region.
The breakaway government in Transnistria relies heavily on Moscow, and the region hosts a Russian military base, the report said. It also cited Transnistria’s population composition, saying the large majority of residents speak Russian as a first language and that hundreds of thousands are Russian citizens, alongside many who also hold Moldovan citizenship.
The Kremlin’s move lands against a wider backdrop of tension between Russia and Moldova. The AP report said Moldova has aligned with the West and aspires to join the European Union, while Russia has long treated the country as within its sphere of influence.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the report said Moldova has faced multiple crises, including errant missiles landing on its territory and a severe energy crisis after Moscow reduced gas supplies. It also pointed to inflation, protests by pro-Russia parties against Moldova’s pro-Western government, and said Moldova has taken in the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita of any country.