«Part of Russia's genocidal policy»: MFA reacts to Putin's decree on legalisation of Ukrainians

People at the railway station. Illustrative photo: prostir

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has condemned Vladimir Putin's decree obliging Ukrainian citizens to either leave Russia or legalise their status. The Foreign Ministry considers this document to be part of Russia's campaign of discrimination and forced displacement of Ukrainians.

This was stated by Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi during a briefing on 21 March.

«On 20 March, we saw another Russian decree that provides for the forced expulsion of Ukrainian citizens who are in the temporarily occupied territories and in the territory of the Russian Federation, without so-called legal grounds. We believe that this is a null and void act, it is another step in Russia's campaign of discrimination, persecution and forced displacement of Ukrainian citizens from their native land, or forcing them to obtain foreigner status», the spokesman said.

According to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Russia continues to systematically violate international law, and this decree contradicts at least three international legal documents.

«We emphasise that these systematic deportations and persecutions are part of Russia's policy of genocide against the Ukrainian people,» he said.

Earlier it was reported that Vladimir Putin signed a decree according to which Ukrainian citizens illegally staying in Russia must either leave the country or regulate their legal status by 10 September 2025.

As a reminder, about 5,000 schoolchildren continue to remain in the part of Kherson region controlled by Russian troops, forced to study under propaganda educational programmes.