Transnistria Welcomes Simplified Russian Citizenship Rules

CHISINAU, May 16. /TASS/. The Transnistrian Foreign Ministry has called the simplified rules for obtaining Russian citizenship a timely measure to support hundreds of thousands of Russian compatriots in the unrecognized republic.

"This decision is an important and timely measure to support hundreds of thousands of Russian compatriots permanently residing in Transnistria," the ministry said in a statement.

It said the new mechanism will strengthen the security and social protection of Transnistrian residents. The decree testifies to the "responsible mission of Russia" as the "leading guarantor and mediator" in the settlement of the Transnistrian issue, the ministry noted.

The decree was signed "to protect human and civil rights and freedoms, guided by generally recognized principles and norms of international law."

According to the document, the right to apply for Russian citizenship in a simplified form, without meeting a number of requirements, will be granted to "foreign citizens and stateless persons who have reached the age of 18, have legal capacity and are permanently residing in Transnistria on the date of entry into force of this decree." The procedure for granting citizenship to minors or incapacitated residents of this region is also prescribed.

In December 2025, a law came into force in Moldova, which allows residents of Transnistria who serve in the law enforcement agencies to be deprived of Moldovan citizenship. As experts have pointed out, thousands of people fall under it. Moldovan President Maia Sandu began to deprive Transnistrian officials of Moldovan passports, which allow them to travel outside the country, as sanctions.

A simplified procedure for obtaining Romanian citizenship has been in effect for Moldovan citizens for many years. Previously, hundreds of thousands of Moldovans acquired it for simplified trips to the EU. The president of the country, the prime minister and the chairman of the parliament have Romanian passports.