TRANSNISTRIA — Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing permanent residents of Transnistria over the age of 18 to obtain Russian citizenship through a simplified process. The Kremlin's approval clears a path for applicants in the breakaway Moldovan region to become Russian citizens without meeting several standard requirements.

Under the simplified procedure, applicants are exempt from requirements to prove knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and Russian legislation. They are also exempt from a requirement to have lived in Russia for five years prior to application. The decree states that it was issued to protect individuals' rights and freedoms and to follow generally recognized international law principles and norms.

Transnistria declared independence from Moldova after a short war in the early 1990s. Its independence is not recognized by any United Nations member country, including Russia, and its breakaway government relies heavily on Moscow. The region hosts a military base with 1,500 Russian troops.

Transnistria's population stands at 470,000, a large majority of whom speak Russian as a first language. Approximately 200,000 residents already hold Russian citizenship, and most of them also hold Moldovan citizenship.

Moldova, located between Ukraine and European Union member Romania, gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The country has aligned itself with the West and aspires to join the EU, while Russia continues to view Moldova as within its sphere of influence.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, errant missiles have landed on Moldovan territory. The country experienced a severe energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced gas supplies, along with rampant inflation and protests by pro-Russia parties against the pro-Western government. Moldova has taken in the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita among all countries.