Russia simplifies citizenship for Transnistria residents, citing humanitarian concerns

CHISINAU, May 16. /TASS/. Simplification of the rules for granting Russian citizenship to the residents of unrecognized Transnistria will expand their rights protection, the Russian embassy said in a statement.

"Of course, the simplified procedure will ease the situation of the residents of the region and expand opportunities for protecting their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation. In particular, we remind you that on May 13, the State Duma adopted a law providing for the possibility of involving the Russian armed forces to protect our citizens from illegal actions by foreign states," the statement says.

The diplomatic department noted that the adoption of the decree was "dictated solely by humanitarian considerations. The decision seems extremely timely against the background of increasing pressure on Transnistria from Chisinau, which negatively affects, among other things, the socio-economic situation on the left bank." Russian diplomats "regularly and in large numbers" received applications from residents of Transnistria wishing to obtain Russian citizenship.

In December 2025, a law came into force in Moldova, which allows residents of Transnistria serving in the law enforcement agencies to be deprived of Moldovan citizenship. Experts have noted that it affects thousands of people. Moldovan President Maia Sandu began to deprive Transnistrian officials of Moldovan passports, which allow them to travel outside the country, as a form of sanctions.

Earlier, Tiraspol said that Moldova had switched from negotiation methods to pressure. For this purpose, trade, economic, financial and banking blockades, energy blackmail, and transport restrictions are used. Earlier, the OSCE mission in Moldova also acknowledged that the suspension of dialogue was the reason for the escalation of tension between the two banks of the Dniester. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that progress in the Transnistrian settlement is impossible without changing Moldova’s position.