Zelenskyy signs a decree on Russian territories historically inhabited by Ukrainians: the text appeared online

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree on the territories of the Russian Federation historically inhabited by Ukrainians. The document refers to Krasnodar Krai, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, and Rostov regions of the Russian Federation.

The Head of State instructed to develop cooperation between Ukrainians and the peoples enslaved by Russia. This is stated in Decree No. 17/2024 on the website of the President's Office.

In his decree, Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia has systematically committed and continues to commit actions aimed at destroying national identity, oppressing Ukrainians, and violating their rights and freedoms for centuries. In particular, the President mentioned Ukrainians in the historically inhabited lands in the Kuban, Starodubshchyna, and Northern and Eastern Slobozhanshchyna within the modern Russian regions.

The President instructed the government to develop an action plan to preserve the national identity of Ukrainians in Russia with the involvement of international experts, representatives of the World Congress of Ukrainians, scholars, and the public, and to submit it to the National Security and Defense Council.

The decree states that this work should include collecting and studying facts and evidence of crimes committed against Ukrainians living in the territories of the Russian Federation historically inhabited by ethnic Ukrainians. Zelenskyy also instructed to study the policy of forced Russification, political repression and deportation of Ukrainians, and the restoration and preservation of historical memory.

The presidential decree also states that it is necessary to intensify work to counter disinformation and Russian propaganda on the history of Ukrainians in Russia and all the peoples enslaved by it. In particular, this includes preparing and conducting events aimed at debunking Russian myths about Ukraine.

To recap, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will submit a draft law on multiple citizenship to the Verkhovna Rada. This will allow ethnic Ukrainians and their descendants from around the world to obtain Ukrainian citizenship.

Earlier, Zelenskyy said that Ukrainians cannot afford fatigue from a full-scale war with Russia. The head of state emphasized that it is important to defend the country not only at the front but also in the rear. According to the President, millions of Ukrainians continue to do important work to fight the aggressor.

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