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The document provides for a significantly easier procedure for former Soviet citizens to obtain Russian citizenship.

The President presented a new draft law whereby the term during which citizens of the former Soviet Union can submit applications for receiving Russian citizenship has been prolonged until January 1, 2008.

In addition to this, the President suggests removing deadlines with respect to obtaining Russian citizenship for those who arrived in Russia from the former states of the Soviet Union.

The Article which is being amended provided that only people who registered as resident in the Russian Federation or who obtained permission for temporary residence in Russia before July 1, 2002, could obtain citizenship.

The new draft law provides that former Soviet citizens who received a residence permit after July 1, 2002 can also obtain citizenship.

The legal measures that make it easier for former compatriots of the Soviet Union to obtain Russian citizenship will be kept. These people are not affected by requirements linked to residing for a certain amount of time in Russian territory, or proving that they have the necessary means for subsistence and sufficient knowledge of Russian.

In addition, inhabitants of former Soviet republics will no longer need to wait five years after receiving a residence permit before obtaining citizenship. They can submit their documents as soon as they register with the appropriate authorities of the Russian Federation.

The suggested changes will allow former Soviet citizens, and first and foremost those who have legally been resident in the territory of the Russian Federation for a long time and who do not yet have Russian citizenship, to benefit from preferential treatment when obtaining Russian citizenship.