President Zelenskiy proposes granting Ukrainian citizenship to Russian citizens
(Baonghean.vn) - On April 28, Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that President Vladimir Putin should not expect many Ukrainians to accept his offer of Russian passports, but he has proposed granting Ukrainian citizenship to Russians.
A day earlier, President Putin announced that Moscow was considering simplifying the procedure for issuing Russian passports to all Ukrainians, a move likely to anger some politicians in Ukraine.
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| Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Photo: Getty |
On his personal Facebook page, Mr. Zelenskiy wrote: "The difference between Ukraine and Russia is that we, the Ukrainian people, have freedom of speech, freedom of the media and the Internet. We will grant Ukrainian citizenship to those who suffer from dictatorship and corruption. First of all, the Russians, who are suffering the most today."
President-elect Zelenskiy said he was ready for dialogue with Russia but warned Moscow against engaging the Ukrainian government and people "in the language of threats, military and economic pressure".
Mr. Zelenskiy stated: "This is not the best path to a ceasefire and to open the process of implementing the Minsk peace agreement. From our side, we are ready to discuss new conditions for the people of Ukraine and Russia to live together in peace. The real normalization of relations will only take place after (Moscow) completely abandons its occupation of both Donbass and the Crimean Peninsula"./.
