Crimean Tatars shouldn’t reject Russian passports, head of Mejlis of Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov stressed on March 25, when meeting with the representatives of civil organizations.

“This is reality. We don’t choose it, we just live in it. The Russian Federation will give you Russian passports, but Ukraine still considers you Ukrainian citizens” – Chubarov noted.

Earlier Mr Chubarov told Reuters, he feared the Tatars may have to seek Russian passports to avoid administrative difficulties, even though Ukrainian law does not allow dual citizenship.

“The people may be forced to become citizens of the country that forced this situation on them, as well as being citizens of the country that was unable to defend them,” he said.

QHA