Putin expands passport access in breakaway region of Moldova

Residents of Transnistria, a separatist region between the Dniester River and Ukraine, can now acquire Russian citizenship without living in Russia for five years. This is due to a recent Kremlin decree, which simplifies the process for residents aged 18 and over. Transnistria broke away from Moldova in the early 1990s and is supported by Russia, which has troops stationed there. The move is seen as increasing pressure on Moldova, which is seeking to join the European Union.