Ukraine's MFA on Russia's new law on citizenship of occupied territories' residents: This is gross violation of Ukrainian and intl law

KYIV. March 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The law adopted on Tuesday, March 14 by the Russian State Duma, according to which citizens of Ukraine who received Russian passports in the temporarily occupied territories, can renounce Ukrainian citizenship after submitting a corresponding application to the Russian authorities, is an attempt to legitimize the attempt to annex the captured Ukrainian territories and illegal passportization of their inhabitants.

“The law of the Russian State Duma grossly violates the legislation and norms of international law. It is void and has no legal consequences. Ukrainian citizens living in the temporarily occupied territories will retain Ukrainian citizenship, despite Russian legislation,” the MFA said in its commentary published on Thursday.

The ministry said the procedure for renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship is clearly indicated by the current legislation of Ukraine. All holders of Ukrainian passports who have not passed the procedure for renunciation of citizenship provided for by Ukrainian legislation remain citizens of Ukraine and can count on the protection of the Ukrainian state within the Constitution and laws of Ukraine.

“We call on the international community to resolutely condemn the next crime of Russia and increase military assistance to Ukraine for the speedy liberation of the temporarily occupied territories,” the Foreign Ministry said.