US journalist requests Russian citizenship after work in Donbas
Christopher Helali, an investigative reporter and international secretary of the American Communist Party, said he submitted a four-page letter to Putin outlining his request. In it, he described his “desire to become a citizen of the Russian Federation.”
Helali said he based his request on his reporting work in Donbas, his support for closer Russian-American relations, and his interest in Russia’s history, language, culture, and traditions. He added that he hoped for a positive outcome “in the next few months,” stating, “I greatly appreciate everything Russia has done for me.”
The Kremlin later commented that it had not yet reviewed the letter when asked about the request, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noting it had not reached the administration.
The journalist’s request comes after he joined a group of more than 50 foreign reporters who visited Starobelsk in the Luhansk People’s Republic, where a Ukrainian drone strike on May 22 reportedly killed 21 people and injured dozens at a college dormitory.
Earlier in March, Helali reportedly signed a contract to participate in Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
Russian authorities have in recent years introduced pathways for foreigners aligned with what it describes as traditional values to apply for residency, including a 2024 decree signed by Putin allowing eligible individuals to seek temporary residence.
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