Accessibility links

Breaking News

EU Says It Won't Accept Russian Passports Issued In Ukraine, Georgia

An employee organizes blank Russian passports at a factory in Moscow. (file photo)
An employee organizes blank Russian passports at a factory in Moscow. (file photo)

The European Union has announced it won't accept Russian travel documents issued in Ukraine and Georgia. The European Council said in a statement on November 10 that the decision is a "response" to Russia’s "unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine" and Russia's practice of issuing Russian international passports to residents of the occupied regions. "It also follows Russia’s unilateral decision to recognize the independence of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008," it added. The move still needs to be formally signed off by the European Parliament and EU member states. To read the original statement from the European Council, click here.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

XS
SM
MD
LG