Moscow mulls over easier Russian citizenship procedures for Belarusians
Hundreds of Belarusians moved to work in Russia / Reuters
Officials in Moscow mull over the introduction of a simplified procedure for Belarusians and Ukrainians seeking to obtain the Russian Federation citizenship. The Russian language exam can be scrapped for them, reports TASS quoting Valentina Kazakova, Head of Migration Department at the Russian Interior Ministry.
Kazakova says the relevant bills have already been drafted, adding that Belarusians, Ukrainians, Kazakhs, and Moldovans can obtain Russian citizenship after being granted a Russian residence permit.
The 2018 estimates by the Russian officials suggested that slightly over 650 000 Belarus nationals lived in Russia back then, the number increased by 132 500 people over four years.
