Konstantin Zatulin, “We are together, in spite of any circumstances”

On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, an international scientific-practical conference "The World Historical Significance of the Victory of the Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War, Its Results and Lessons for the Present" was held. The event was held online. The deputy corps of our republic at the conference was represented by Vice Speaker Galina Antyufeyeva. The Russian State Duma is represented by the interests of Pridnestrovians Artem Turov and the deputy chairman of the Committee on CIS Affairs and Relations with Compatriots Konstantin Zatulin.

The conference raised not only topics regarding the significance of Victory in World War II, but a much wider range of issues. In particular, the topic that was relevant for Pridnestrovians was the simplified acquisition of Russian citizenship.

Konstantin Zatulin noted that in the State Duma, the Committee on CIS Affairs and Relations with Compatriots, as well as deputies representing the interests of Pridnestrovie, are fighting for justice. All compatriots, regardless of whether they returned to Russia or live where generations of their ancestors lived before them, should be able to confirm their historical connection, establish this connection with their great Motherland - with Russia - and obtain a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.

The Russian parliamentarian emphasized that he raised this issue at a conference dedicated to the Great Patriotic War, because he considers that these topics are interrelated.

On the 17^th of April 2020 the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted amendments to the law on Russian citizenship. The right to simplified admission to the citizenship of the Russian Federation in the presence of a residence permit, but without observing the established five-year period of residence in Russia, was granted to citizens of Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. The amendments relate to foreign citizens who live in the Russian Federation. The law adopted on April 17 does not extend to Pridnestrovians who do not live in Russia.