Under the decree, foreign nationals permanently residing in the Transnistrian region of Moldova — the self-proclaimed “Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic” (PMR) — can apply for Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure.
The move comes amid broader legislative changes in Russia expanding the Kremlin’s ability to justify military interventions abroad under the pretext of protecting Russian citizens.
On April 14, Russia’s State Duma approved in the first reading a bill allowing Putin to deploy Russian troops to foreign countries “to protect the rights of Russian citizens,” including in cases involving their detention or prosecution abroad.
According to the bill drafted by the Russian government, Putin would be able to use the Russian military for overseas operations in cases involving the arrest, detention or criminal prosecution of Russian citizens.
The document also specifies that the provision applies to decisions made by foreign courts or international judicial bodies that Russia does not recognize.
Russia’s State Duma passed the law in its second and third readings on May 13.
Independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta noted that the legislation could apply to institutions such as the International Criminal Court, which issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova in 2023 over the deportation of Ukrainian children.
The outlet also recalled that Putin banned the enforcement of decisions by such international courts in Russia in 2025.