Russian passports are attempt of quiet annexation for Donbass – Latvian foreign minister

Moscow’s decision to simplify the procedure for issuing Russian passports to residents of the occupied part of Donbass is an attempt of quiet annexation, requiring a strong EU response. This was reported by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, - Ukrinform reports.

"This is completely unacceptable. It is an attempt to achieve a quiet annexation. I believe that all countries of the region should be united in this matter, and we need much stronger and more resolute response of the EU to such actions", - Rinkēvičs stated.

The head of the MFA of Latvia noted that Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova needed support both in implementing reforms and countering Russian aggression.

As reported, on April 24, president of the aggressor country Vladimir Putin signed the decree simplifying the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine, and on May 1 – the decree granting the right to a simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship to other categories of Ukrainian citizens.