The Russian embassy in Tallinn has stopped processing the applications of those who want to renounce their Russian citizenship, Estonian media ERR News reports.
It is not yet known whether the Russian embassy’s decision to limit its activities is related to the demand to reduce the number of its employees, but the embassy’s website currently reads a statement that applications for renouncing Russian citizenship are currently not being considered. It is unclear when the embassy might resume processing applications.
In order for a person to acquire Estonian citizenship through naturalization, they must first renounce the citizenship of other countries and obtain an official confirmation of this.
It can be issued by the embassy of the particular country.
Relinquishing Russian citizenship has been difficult enough up until now, and previously it was often necessary to go to the Russian Federation to submit the relevant documents.
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu announced on the 11th of January that Estonia will request to reduce the number of employees in the Russian embassy in Tallinn in order to implement the principle of parity.
To obtain Estonian citizenship, the candidate must pass a language test, present a certificate of renunciation of other citizenships and complete other formalities. Until now, obtaining all official documents and certificates has been difficult for those persons who have arrived from countries where armed conflicts and unstable political situations are taking place, such as Syria. On the other hand, if a person is entitled to Estonian citizenship according to the jus sanguinis principle, they don’t have to renounce the citizenship of another country.
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