President Vladimir Putin directed the ministry during a extended session of the Interior Ministry to accelerate the process of issuing Russian passports for residents in the newly incorporated regions. The update on this initiative was reported by TASS as part of ongoing communications from the leadership circle.
Speaking to the Russian Minister of Internal Affairs, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, the president underscored that there may be practical hurdles in official matters, notably the passport issuance for people living in the expanded territories, but he emphasized that such obstacles are not something the ministry can resolve on its own.
He urged the agency to restore order swiftly and to execute the task without delay. The message was clear: the public expects a streamlined pathway to citizenship and to obtaining Russian passports after years of administrative delays.
The president observed that many individuals yearn to become citizens of the Russian Federation and to secure passports that would grant them the rights and conveniences that accompany official documentation.
He noted that the current system often causes extended waits and long lines for applicants, with processes dragging on for months. The implication was that a more efficient, citizen-focused approach was required to remove needless friction and to respect people’s time.
Putin stressed that those handling passport-related matters must demonstrate responsibility in problem solving. If staff lack the necessary skills, they should be trained; if motivation is lacking, personnel should be reassigned, or promoted, to ensure service quality remains high. The underlying demand was for accountability, speed, and dependable service where people are trying to access essential documentation.
In recent reporting, it was noted that thousands of residents in the new regions apply for Russian passports every day, highlighting the scale of demand and the urgency of removing bottlenecks that hamper timely processing. This surge in applications underscores the importance of a robust, citizen-centric reform plan that can adapt to growing needs across the expanding territorial map of the federation.