Moscow-Sana
Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Russia is opening its doors and heart to new lands, stressing that victory will be his country's ally in its confrontation with its enemies.
Putin said in his speech during a celebration held on Red Square in Moscow on the occasion of the accession of the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk and the Zaporozhye and Kherson provinces: "It was Russia that created modern Ukraine by transferring important lands there... the historical lands of Russia itself with its inhabitants who were not asked where and how they want to live. How do they want to build the future of their children and in which country?
He added, "With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the same thing happened.. Everything is decided by the elites, and no one asked millions of ordinary citizens for anything." .and victory will be ours.”
"Only now has modern Russia given the people living in the republics of Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Kherson provinces the right to choose...the people participated in the referendum, and made the decision to be with their historical homeland...with Russia," he added.
President Putin praised the heroism of Russian soldiers and fighters during the special military operation in Ukraine, noting that they were heroically defending Donbass.
On the other hand, Putin signed a decree simplifying the granting of Russian citizenship to foreigners who join military service in Russia.
The TASS news agency reported that the decree allows foreign military personnel in the Russian army to apply for Russian citizenship without presenting a residence permit, provided that they conclude a contract with Russian forces for at least one year.