Russian President Putinʼs decree on simplified Russian certification of residents of Ukrainian Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts is legally null and void.
This was stated by anti-crisis adviser to the head of the Presidentʼs Office Mykhailo Podoliak in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine.
"It does not have any correct positive consequences for territories, Ukrainian citizens or international law," he said.
Podoliak believes that Putin needs such a decree only as an "element of total propaganda influence" on the domestic audience.
"This decree will allow for a small TV show with several dozen criminal-looking collaborators in the lead role and the distribution of the same passports," he said.
According to Podoliak, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts are an integral part of Ukraine.
- On May 25, Putin signed a decree on a simplified procedure for Russian citizenship for residents of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts of Ukraine. These areas are partially under Russian occupation.