Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law ratifying the dual citizenship agreement signed between Moscow and Sukhumi. The so-called Abkhazian passport holders will be able to obtain Russian citizenship without renouncing de facto Abkhazian citizenship. Russians will also have the right to receive the “citizenship” of Abkhazia.
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The so-called agreement was signed in Moscow on September 27, 2022, and was approved by the Russian Federation Council on July 5, 2023. The government of Georgia has made no comments on the news.
“The agreement on dual citizenship is about freedom of movement, social guarantees, solving the issues of health care, education, security, and recognition of military service,” said the de facto minister of foreign affairs of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, Regarding the agreement.
According to him, this is “yet another proof of the high level of fraternal relations and dialogue with Russia.”
According to the document, persons who had the citizenship of Abkhazia as of August 26, 2008, and have retained it until today will be able to obtain Russian citizenship in a simplified manner.
The so-called dual citizens of Abkhazia and Russia will enjoy the right to social security, education, and medical care in accordance with the legislation of the country in whose territory they permanently reside. The same principle applies to conscription. In addition, those who, for example, have already done military service in Abkhazia, will no longer be called up in Russia.
The term of the so-called agreement is five years, and it will automatically renew unless one of the parties gives prior notice of its intention to terminate it. Withdrawal from the agreement will not automatically result in termination of citizenship.
