Passports of the Russian Federation presented to resettlers at the National Centre RUSSIA

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Foreign nationals have become citizens of the Russian Federation. On 20 December, a ceremonial presentation of Russian passports was held at the National Centre RUSSIA as part of the II Catherine Forum. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Deputy Head of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, Magomedsalam Magomedov, and the Deputy Head of the Service for Citizenship and Registration of Foreign Nationals of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Valentina Kazakova.

"In accordance with the procedure established by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, new citizens are presented with a copy of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. May the country’s fundamental document — the code of the rights and duties of individuals and citizens — become a reliable guide and a source of knowledge about the highest values on which our society and state are built," the ceremony host said.

In accordance with Article 89 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation on admission to Russian citizenship, passports were presented to:

— Alexandra Tara McCabe, a native of the United States of America, a well-known international journalist and political commentator, a legal expert, who found safety, respect, and the opportunity to speak the truth in Russia;

— Pierre Olivier Charles Mоnod, a native of the French Republic, a descendant of the first wave of Russian emigrants, a highly qualified specialist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and surgeon whose work has for many years served the health of Russia’s citizens;

— Danilo Ivanovich, a native of the friendly Republic of Serbia, a person who proved his devotion to Russia not by words but by deeds, sharing Russian society’s rejection of the ideology of neo-Nazism. Risking his life, Danila stood shoulder to shoulder with Russian soldiers in defence of the sovereignty of our country.

In accordance with the Federal Law on Citizenship of the Russian Federation, passports were also presented to:

— Dmitry Mikhailovich Yurovsky, a native of Moscow who lived in Germany from an early age, a world-renowned conductor whose talent and mastery serve great Russian and global culture;

— Andrei Gennadyevich Noskov, a native of Omsk, an outstanding scientist and executive, Doctor of Natural Sciences. He makes an invaluable contribution to the technological sovereignty and scientific future of our country through his intellect, expertise, and leadership of a Russian biotechnology company.

"I am incredibly happy to receive Russian citizenship, citizenship of the Russian Federation. It is a great honour. I would also like to thank two incredible women: Maria Butina and Margarita Simonyan. For enabling me to obtain political asylum in your beautiful and remarkable country — without their help, I would not be here today. I would not be standing here and receiving your citizenship. I also want to thank every Russian who has shown me warmth and opened their heart to me. I am now ready to serve you. Thank you," said Alexandra Tara McCabe.

Danilo Ivanovich, a native of the friendly Republic of Serbia, also expressed his gratitude for the warm attitude shown towards him.

"It is a great honour for me to receive citizenship of the Russian Federation and a passport. Serbs have always shared Russian traditions and values and have empathised with hardship and suffering, especially in the current situation in Donbass alongside the people of Russia… I try to help in any way I can. I serve Russia!" Danilo Ivanovich said.

The ceremonial presentation of Russian citizenship to resettlers was held as part of the II Catherine Forum. The event is taking place at the National Centre RUSSIA on 20 December. The Forum is dedicated to key topics such as the integration of foreign nationals, Russia’s role in preserving traditional spiritual and moral values, and the historical legacy of Catherine II. The First International Catherine Forum, held in December 2023, brought together more than 750 participants from 35 countries and 50 regions of Russia.