KIEV, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed introducing a way for ethnic Ukrainians living abroad to obtain Ukrainian citizenship, said the official presidential website on Thursday.
"The President of Ukraine instructs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to elaborate a mechanism for granting Ukrainian citizenship as the second to ethnic Ukrainians from friendly countries who seek to join the process of development of their historic homeland," said the statement.
"Furthermore, Volodymyr Zelensky also instructs to elaborate a mechanism for granting Ukrainian citizenship under a simplified procedure to people who suffer from violations of rights and freedoms in their countries," it added.
The suggestion came after Moscow's Lefortovo district court extended the detention of all 24 captive Ukrainian sailors for another three months, and the Russian president signed a decree on providing expedited Russian citizenship for Ukrainians.
