In a move that could hint at future annexation of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a fast-track citizenship path for citizens of the occupied Ukraine. The decree will allow people in eastern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions to get citizenship without having to take a language exam and other normal requirements. But it also raises many questions about whether the country will actually annex the territories.
Russian soldier sentenced to life in prison for killing 62-year-old Ukrainian civilian
A Russian soldier was sentenced to life in prison for killing a 62-year-old Ukrainian civilian while in a border area. The soldier admitted killing the unarmed civilian while he was pushing his bicycle, a few meters away from his home. Prosecutors said the shooting was a result of “societal pressure,” and ordered the soldier to fire without a clear order.
The sentencing is the first in a case involving a Russian soldier. It is the first time a Russian soldier has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a Ukrainian civilian. Thousands of people have been killed in the conflict and Ukraine has identified up to 10,000 possible war crimes in the region. Human rights groups and independent media have documented numerous cases of war crimes in the area, but Moscow denies the allegations. The military is expected to appeal Shishimarin’s conviction in the near future.
A few hundred Ukrainian soldiers have surrendered to Russian forces near the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, following orders from President Zelensky. The Ukrainian soldiers were previously imprisoned at the Azovstal steelworks, but later came under Russian control. According to Denis Pushilin, the Russian-backed leader of the Donetsk region, the prisoners are being held on Donetsk territory.
Sergeant Shishimarin was serving in the Kantemirovskaya tank division. On Feb. 28, Shishimarin was with four other soldiers in a seized car. He was told to kill the civilian, and Shishimarin shot him with his assault rifle through the window of his car. His defense lawyer pointed out that the civilian’s gunshot was the result of three or four shots, not one.
The trial of Sergeant Vadim Shishimarin, a Russian soldier, began May 13. He was sentenced to life in prison for killing an unarmed Ukrainian civilian. He admitted to the crime of murder, but the court found him guilty of violating the international humanitarian law. He shot the man through his open car window, crushing his skull. The soldier is free to appeal his sentence, but he may appeal within 30 days of his conviction.
Romania offers citizenship to residents of occupied Ukraine
Getting citizenship in Romania is a relatively easy process, though you may need to know the steps involved and how to approach the right authorities. As the country is not one of the most stable in the world, the citizenship process is prone to delays. If you have been living in the Ukraine for more than five years, you may want to consider applying for Romanian citizenship. The process is a simple one – all you need to do is oath of allegiance and legal status change.
Refugees are already getting help in Romania, with free public transport and phone communication. The European Commission is proposing that people fleeing the war in Ukraine be given temporary protection. This protection would apply to those who are Ukrainian citizens and foreign nationals who have been in the country for a long time and are currently receiving international protection. Those who stay for short periods of time will have their temporary protection end when the situation in Ukraine improves. This protection does not apply to students.
The situation in Ukraine is particularly dire, but it is possible for individuals fleeing the conflict to apply for citizenship in Romania. The EU countries bordering Ukraine have decided to give those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine a safe haven. Ukraine nationals with biometric passports can enter the EU on humanitarian grounds. As a result of this policy, individuals living in these countries are granted the right to open a basic bank account.
In the western and northern part of the country, life is slowly returning to normal. Photos of young men exercising at an outdoor gym in Odessa, the city that suffered the worst terrorist attacks, have surfaced. During the last weeks, the subway in Kyiv was packed with residents on their way to work. Similarly, in Kharkiv, the subway has opened after a three-month shutdown.
Impact of new amendments to Russian citizenship law on M&A activity
The Russian government has issued an executive order prohibiting the sale of goods and services from Russia and has also imposed sanctions on 25 individuals. These individuals include senior businessmen and oligarchs. The sanctions also include a ban on certain types of goods and services, including oil exploration and production, as well as related technical and financial assistance. There are exceptions to the new rule, such as humanitarian concerns and natural disasters. The new law also extends existing prohibitions to the Russian National Wealth Fund. In addition, a ban on accepting deposits in excess of 100 thousand euros is now in place, which applies to all Russian nationals. However, this ban does not apply to EU and EEA nationals.
In addition to these changes, Russia has also removed the renunciation condition from its citizenship law. Several million people can now apply to become Russian citizens, mainly post-Soviet Russian speakers. These new laws also aim to make it easier for Russian citizens to acquire citizenship. These amendments are likely to boost the number of Russian citizens and signal the country’s broader geopolitical goals.
While this situation may affect some industries, the effects of the situation on the overall global M&A market are less clear. In 2020, a significant portion of Russian and Ukrainian assets are expected to remain in the market. But it will take some time for the situation to return to normal. However, in the meantime, dealmakers should expect government involvement in M&A. For example, in a recent article, Ama Adams, a partner at Ropes & Gray LLP, wrote: “This crisis will not be a deterrent to deal making.”
While uncertainty may be a negative factor, it is also important to note that the impact of the new Russian sanctions on the global economy will vary depending on the extent of the changes to the country’s immigration laws. The new sanctions could hamper international M&A activity and could impede private equity fundraising. As a result, some UK-Russian private equity firms may find it difficult to raise funds from Russian investors.
Impact of new amendments to Romania’s citizenship law on M&A activity
The recent changes in Romania’s citizenship law have not significantly altered the legal environment, which aligns it with the EU’s governing framework. While Romanian law has not undergone significant changes in recent years, there are a number of new factors to watch. Among these are the impact of the changes on M&A activity. Here are three factors to keep an eye on.
The number of transactions in Romania’s M&A market was boosted by positive macroeconomic developments. Its location between the former USSR, Central Europe, and Balkans made it attractive for investors to set up shop in the country. A wide anti-corruption campaign has also helped to improve Romania’s image. In 2017, the market was boisterous, with new entrants, existing investors, and local entrepreneurs playing a role in the process.
The amendments to Romania’s citizenship law make it more difficult to perform certain types of transactions in Romania. One such example is the restriction on the withdrawal and amendment of a transfer deed. Other activities that may be prohibited under the new legislation include the buying and selling of precious metals and jewelry, construction services, and professional services. Furthermore, the law requires companies to disclose information to the Ministry of Economy, which will then be responsible for implementing an electronic system.
Other notable changes in the Romanian citizenship law include the creation of the Federal Telecommunications Institute, which is an independent constitutional body charged with regulating radio spectrum, promoting its development, and supervising the exploitation of the radio spectrum. Additionally, it recasts the Community Savings and Loan Associations Act and removes limits on foreign investment in financial institutions. Additionally, the new Federal Antitrust Law comes into force on July 7, 2014.
