War in Ukraine: Putin signs a decree facilitating the stay of Ukrainians
Sylvie Claire / August 28, 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that simplifies the stay and work of hundreds of thousands of people who have left Ukraine for Russia since the Kremlin's military intervention.
According to the new temporary measures, published on Saturday, holders of Ukrainian passports, as well as residents of the pro-Russian separatist territories of Donetsk and Lugansk, in southeastern Ukraine, will be able to stay in Russia without time limits.
Until now, they could only officially stay in Russia for 90 days per 180-day period. For longer stays, they had to obtain a work permit or a special authorization.
The decree states that these people now have the right to work in Russia without a work permit.
However, in order to take advantage of this measure, they will have to undergo fingerprinting, photo identification and screening for drugs and infectious diseases.
The text also prohibits the deportation of Ukrainian citizens from Russia, except for those released from prison or deemed a threat to Russia's security.
In a separate decree, Vladimir Putin ordered to pay social aid to vulnerable people (pensioners, disabled, pregnant women) who had to leave Ukraine and the separatist territories.
According to Moscow, 3.6 million people, including 587,000 children, have fled Ukraine to Russia since the Kremlin's large-scale offensive against Kiev in late February. The Russian authorities are encouraging these movements and have opened accommodation centers throughout the country.
However, some of these refugees, often assisted by activists, have managed to leave Russia for the European Union.
In July, the Kremlin made it easier for Ukrainians to obtain Russian citizenship, a measure denounced in Kiev as a means of consolidating Moscow's influence in the conquered territories.