President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree simplifying the process for residents of the unrecognized Transnistria region to obtain Russian citizenship. This move, announced on May 15, has raised concerns in Ukraine regarding Russia’s intentions in the area.
The new regulations allow foreign nationals and stateless persons aged 18 and older who reside in Transnistria to apply for Russian citizenship without the usual requirements of five years of residence in Russia, proficiency in the Russian language, or knowledge of Russian history and legislation.
Applications can be submitted through Russian diplomatic missions and consulates. The decree claims to be aimed at protecting human rights and freedoms.
On May 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the decree, suggesting that it signals Russia’s intentions to not only recruit new soldiers but also to assert claims over Transnistria. “They often tell various interlocutors in Moscow that they are only interested in Donbas. In reality, it is much more than that. We must respond to this, especially since the Russian military presence and intelligence operations in Transnistria pose a challenge for us. We are interested in a stable, strong Moldova,” he stated.
“I also expect proposals from Ukrainian intelligence on how to respond. Russia should focus more on its own oil refineries and not on the citizens of other countries and the lands of other nations,” Zelensky added.
In April 2026, Sergey Shoigu, the former Russian defense minister and current secretary of the Russian Security Council, claimed that over 220,000 Russians live in Transnistria, asserting that their interests are threatened by the actions of Ukraine and Moldova.
Russian military forces have been stationed in the region since the early 1990s, following the 1992 conflict. Estimates suggest that there are currently between 1,200 and 1,500 Russian soldiers in Transnistria. Moscow maintains that its military presence is legitimate, while Chișinău views it as illegal and has called for their withdrawal.
Previously, Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that Chișinău is in discussions with international partners about establishing a mechanism to resolve the situation in Transnistria.
Russia's recent decree to simplify citizenship for Transnistrians has sparked concerns in Ukraine about Moscow's territorial ambitions and military presence in the region. Ukrainian officials are responding by coordinating with Moldova and assessing potential security implications.