Putin offers easier path to citizenship for foreigners who join Russian military 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it easier to gain Russian citizenship for foreigners who join his country’s military.

Putin signed the decree allowing the easier path to Russian citizenship Thursday as the war in Ukraine nears the two-year mark. He previously permitted the speeding up of citizenship for foreigners that sign contracts with the Russian army back in September 2022, when he allowed immigrants that signed a contract of a year or more and took part in active hostilities for a minimum of six months to apply for citizenship without some other requirements. Applications for citizenships would then be decided upon in three months.

In May 2023, the Russian president made the aforementioned process even easier by way of another decree, getting rid of the need for engaging in six months of active hostilities for the foreigners. Those who also signed a minimum yearlong contract amid the war in Ukraine could now apply as part of the process.

Thursday’s decree attempts to cut the decision time for applications from three months to within one month. According to The Associated Press, no comment was made by the Kremlin as to why the change was made.

Putin’s decree also comes amid struggles to pass more aid to Ukraine in the U.S. Senate. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has suggested that negotiators are getting closer to a long-contested deal on the border that could also pave the way for Ukraine aid.

“We’re making progress. We’re closer than we have been, but this is a very difficult issue and there’s still different issues to be overcome with,” Schumer told reporters after opening the Senate for the second half of the 118th Congress. 

“Everyone’s going to have to give something to get this done. No one can just get his or her own way,” Schumer said. 

The Associated Press contributed.