Moldova struggles with surge in citizenship requests from Russians
The Moldovan government is struggling to cope with a sharp increase in citizenship applications filed by Russians, Reuters reported on Jan. 16.
In response to the spike in applications for Moldovan citizenship, the country’s immigration agency has asked the government to extend the processing time from the current 20 days to six months. Officials attribute Russia’s war against Ukraine as the primary factor driving the increase.
Read also: Russia laying groundwork for a ‘false flag’ operation against Moldova in Transnistria
According to Moldova’s immigration agency, roughly 70% of applicants are Russian citizens, while 20% are Ukrainians. However, they did not disclose specific numbers.
Russia will likely attempt to once again destabilize Moldova in the spring of 2024, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said during a press conference in the Romanian city of Timișoara on Jan. 13.
According to a Jan. 10 report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia may be laying the informational groundwork to employ occupied Transistria in a possible ‘false flag’ operation against Moldova.
Read also: If not for Ukraine, Russia would attack Moldova — President Sandu
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