<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/comedian-volodymyr-zelensky-takes-office-as-ukraines-president-220079">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky</a> signed a decree on Tuesday offering citizenship to Russians suffering political persecution, and also to foreigners who fought on Kiev's side in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Zelensky had announced such a move last month in response to a Russian decree expanding the number of Ukrainians who can apply for fast-track Russian passports.

Separately Ukraine's state security service declared a Russian consular officer in the western city of Lviv as persona non grata, accusing him of spying.

The officer had already left the country, a statement said.

Relations between Kiev and Moscow plunged after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for fighters in the eastern Donbass region in a conflict that has killed 13,000 people despite a notional ceasefire.

Zelenskiy has<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraines-new-president-zelensky-says-ceasefire-first-priority-220138"> prioritised achieving peace in the Donbass region,</a> but days after his election victory in April Russian President Vladimir Putin eased rules for residents of rebel-controlled parts of Donbass to receive passports.

In July he extended the offer to government-held areas.

Zelensky's decree would apply to citizens of the Russian Federation who had been persecuted for political reasons, a statement on the presidential website said.

They would need to provide a certificate from Ukraine's foreign ministry or a diplomatic mission or a consular post confirming they were being persecuted in their native country for their political beliefs.

It is now up to the government and parliament to legislate for the proposal to take effect.

The president's Servant of the People party will be the largest in the new parliament following its landslide victory in a snap election in July.

Zelensky last week pressed Putin for a resumption of peace talks after four Ukrainian soldiers were killed by shelling in the Donbass region.

Putin, in turn, said Ukrainian forces must stop the shelling of settlements in the Donbass that led to civilian casualties.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Tuesday offering citizenship to Russians suffering political persecution, and also to foreigners who fought on Kiev's side in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Tuesday offering citizenship to Russians suffering political persecution, and also to foreigners who fought on Kiev's side in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Zelensky had announced such a move last month in response to a Russian decree expanding the number of Ukrainians who can apply for fast-track Russian passports. Separately Ukraine's state security service declared a Russian consular officer in the western city of Lviv as persona non grata, accusing him of spying. The officer had already left the country, a statement said. Relations between Kiev and Moscow plunged after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for fighters in the eastern Donbass region in a conflict that has killed 13,000 people despite a notional ceasefire. Zelenskiy has prioritised achieving peace in the Donbass region, but days after his election victory in April Russian President Vladimir Putin eased rules for residents of rebel-controlled parts of Donbass to receive passports. In July he extended the offer to government-held areas. Zelensky's decree would apply to citizens of the Russian Federation who had been persecuted for political reasons, a statement on the presidential website said. They would need to provide a certificate from Ukraine's foreign ministry or a diplomatic mission or a consular post confirming they were being persecuted in their native country for their political beliefs. It is now up to the government and parliament to legislate for the proposal to take effect. The president's Servant of the People party will be the largest in the new parliament following its landslide victory in a snap election in July. Zelensky last week pressed Putin for a resumption of peace talks after four Ukrainian soldiers were killed by shelling in the Donbass region. Putin, in turn, said Ukrainian forces must stop the shelling of settlements in the Donbass that led to civilian casualties.

Ukraine President Zelensky offers citizenship to Russian political refugees

Just hours after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-eases-citizenship-rules-in-east-ukraine-213296">Russia made it easier for people living in Ukraine's separatist territories</a> to obtain Russian passports, President Putin said he had no desire to create problems for the new Ukrainian leadership.

"We have no desire to create problems for the new Ukrainian leadership, but to tolerate a situation in which people living in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk republic are generally deprived of any civil rights, this is already crossing the line from the point of view of human rights," President Putin said.

The new Russian rule has made it easier for separatist regions to receive a Russian passport within three months of applying. Ukraine and Russia have been at loggerheads since the annexation of Crimea by Russian forces in 2014.&nbsp;

"They cannot travel normally, they cannot meet their own elementary needs or exercise their elementary rights. It's a purely humanitarian issue," Putin said while giving the green signal to the new order.

Ukrainian president-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy who recently won the elections by a landslide urged more international sanctions against Russia after Moscow's new move.

"Kiev is counting on increased diplomatic and sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation," Zelensky's press service said in a statement. Ukraine said it had informed the United Nations about Russia's move and also asked the EU to take "prompt and decisive" action.

According to a copy of the decree published on the Kremlin website, the law aimed to "protect rights" and was guided by "the norms of international law".&nbsp;

However, Ukraine's foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin said the decision was "the continuation of aggression and interference in our internal affairs."&nbsp;

"Russia has deprived you of the present, and now it is trespassing on your future," he said.

Iryna Gerashchenko, the deputy speaker of the Ukrainian parliament said: "Putin always uses moments of uncertainty and transition periods to plunge another knife into Ukraine's back."&nbsp;

Other Ukrainian leaders also condemned the move.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Just hours after Russia made it easier for people living in Ukraine's separatist territories to obtain Russian passports, President Putin said he had no desire to create problems for the new Ukrainian leadership.

Just hours after Russia made it easier for people living in Ukraine's separatist territories to obtain Russian passports, President Putin said he had no desire to create problems for the new Ukrainian leadership. "We have no desire to create problems for the new Ukrainian leadership, but to tolerate a situation in which people living in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk republic are generally deprived of any civil rights, this is already crossing the line from the point of view of human rights," President Putin said. The new Russian rule has made it easier for separatist regions to receive a Russian passport within three months of applying. Ukraine and Russia have been at loggerheads since the annexation of Crimea by Russian forces in 2014. "They cannot travel normally, they cannot meet their own elementary needs or exercise their elementary rights. It's a purely humanitarian issue," Putin said while giving the green signal to the new order. Ukrainian president-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy who recently won the elections by a landslide urged more international sanctions against Russia after Moscow's new move. "Kiev is counting on increased diplomatic and sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation," Zelensky's press service said in a statement. Ukraine said it had informed the United Nations about Russia's move and also asked the EU to take "prompt and decisive" action. According to a copy of the decree published on the Kremlin website, the law aimed to "protect rights" and was guided by "the norms of international law". However, Ukraine's foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin said the decision was "the continuation of aggression and interference in our internal affairs." "Russia has deprived you of the present, and now it is trespassing on your future," he said. Iryna Gerashchenko, the deputy speaker of the Ukrainian parliament said: "Putin always uses moments of uncertainty and transition periods to plunge another knife into Ukraine's back." Other Ukrainian leaders also condemned the move.

Have no desire to create problems for new Ukrainian leadership: Putin on new passport rule

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko agreed Thursday to hold an election debate with frontrunner Volodymyr Zelensky at the country's biggest stadium as he seeks to make up lost ground ahead of a run-off vote.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/partial-results-give-comedian-zelensky-strong-lead-in-ukraine-vote-207122">The 41-year-old actor and comedian Zelensky</a> is favourite to become Ukraine's next president after he dominated the first-round vote on March 31 despite many initially dismissing his candidacy as a joke.

The two will meet in a run-off vote on April 21.

Hours after political novice Zelensky challenged Poroshenko, 53, to hold a debate in a Kiev stadium, the country's largest sports arena, Poroshenko said he was ready to square off with the popular actor.

"(If you want) a stadium, let it be a stadium," Poroshenko said in a video address.

But he also warned that an election debate was no laughing matter and a presidential election would determine the country's fate for decades to come.

"A debate is not a show," Poroshenko said in an apparent jab at Zelensky's lack of political experience.

"A debate is not staged for a stadium spectacle," he added.

Zelensky's political experience had been limited to playing the president in a TV show when he announced his long-shot candidacy at the start of the year.

But he capitalised on frustration over corruption and a stalling economy to leapfrog his establishment opponents.

Addressing Poroshenko, Zelensky listed a number of conditions, saying he should stop calling him a "clown" and a "puppet," a reference to the frontrunner's alleged political ties to oligarch Igor Kolomoisky.

By law, televised election debates are to be held on the last Friday before the second-round runoff, which would be April 19.

With 100 per cent of the ballots counted, Zelensky is ahead with more than 30 per cent of the first-round vote, nearly twice that of Poroshenko, on almost 16 percent.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko agreed Thursday to hold an election debate with frontrunner Volodymyr Zelensky at the country's biggest stadium as he seeks to make up lost ground ahead of a run-off vote.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko agreed Thursday to hold an election debate with frontrunner Volodymyr Zelensky at the country's biggest stadium as he seeks to make up lost ground ahead of a run-off vote. The 41-year-old actor and comedian Zelensky is favourite to become Ukraine's next president after he dominated the first-round vote on March 31 despite many initially dismissing his candidacy as a joke. The two will meet in a run-off vote on April 21. Hours after political novice Zelensky challenged Poroshenko, 53, to hold a debate in a Kiev stadium, the country's largest sports arena, Poroshenko said he was ready to square off with the popular actor. "(If you want) a stadium, let it be a stadium," Poroshenko said in a video address. But he also warned that an election debate was no laughing matter and a presidential election would determine the country's fate for decades to come. "A debate is not a show," Poroshenko said in an apparent jab at Zelensky's lack of political experience. "A debate is not staged for a stadium spectacle," he added. Zelensky's political experience had been limited to playing the president in a TV show when he announced his long-shot candidacy at the start of the year. But he capitalised on frustration over corruption and a stalling economy to leapfrog his establishment opponents. Addressing Poroshenko, Zelensky listed a number of conditions, saying he should stop calling him a "clown" and a "puppet," a reference to the frontrunner's alleged political ties to oligarch Igor Kolomoisky. By law, televised election debates are to be held on the last Friday before the second-round runoff, which would be April 19. With 100 per cent of the ballots counted, Zelensky is ahead with more than 30 per cent of the first-round vote, nearly twice that of Poroshenko, on almost 16 percent.

Ukraine's Poroshenko agrees to debate with frontrunner Zelensky

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