Vladimir Putin wants to further Russify the occupied territories in Ukraine. The Russian ruler signed a corresponding decree. In the future, Ukrainians will be considered foreigners.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a decree that should pave the way for people in the occupied territories to obtain Russian citizenship, Ukrainian and Russian media report. This is intended to accelerate the Russification of the occupied Ukrainian territories.
Ukrainians who refuse to become Russians should also be classified as foreigners from 1 July 2024 and be deported. The Russian-controlled areas in the Ukrainian oblasts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson are affected.
UN sees danger of racial hatred
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has expressed concern about incitement to racial hatred and the spread of stereotypes about Ukrainians.
Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said via Telegram on Wednesday that a wave of resettlement of Russian citizens to the occupied territories had begun, while the local population was being deported. Resident Ukrainians would be forcibly deported to Russia under pretexts. Those suspected of “representing pro-Ukrainian views” are particularly affected.
Russians, on the other hand, would be supported with jobs, housing or even cheap loans when they settle in the occupied territories. The UN body CERD also took up claims by human rights activists in Russia that Russian authorities are focusing on mobilizing ethnic minorities in remote areas of Russia to prevent resentment in Moscow and other major cities.
Russians rename streets
The pro-Russian occupation administration has been promoting so-called Russification for some time – for example by renaming streets or removing monuments. Ukrainians are also being pressured to surrender their passports. There was initially no comment from the Russian representation at the UN in Geneva.
Source: Krone
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