On May 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree simplifying the procedure for granting Russian citizenship to residents of Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia. Under the new regulations, applicants from these areas are no longer required to fulfill standard criteria such as permanent residence in Russia, proficiency in the Russian language, or knowledge of Russian history.
Based on the decree, residents of the occupied regions may submit citizenship applications at Russian “diplomatic missions” located in Sokhumi and Tskhinvali. Those already residing in Russia can apply at a local office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, regardless of whether they are officially registered at their place of stay or residence.
This move has been criticized by Georgia and the international community, as it is seen as a violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The decree is part of Russia’s broader strategy of “passportization,” which involves the mass conferral of Russian citizenship to residents of breakaway regions in neighboring countries, thereby increasing Russian influence in these areas.
The simplification of the citizenship process for residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia follows similar measures taken by Russia in occupied regions of Ukraine, such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, where residents have been issued Russian passports under expedited procedures.
Georgia maintains that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are integral parts of its territory and that Russia’s actions constitute an illegal occupation. The international community largely supports Georgia’s position, with most countries refusing to recognize the independence of the two breakaway regions.
The decree is expected to further complicate the already tense relations between Georgia and Russia and may have significant implications for the residents of the occupied regions, who may face increased pressure to accept Russian citizenship.
