Russian Extraterritorial Naturalisation of Populations – Towards Conceptualisation of the Strategic Policy

Abstract

This article examines the development of the Russian foreign policy of extraterritorial naturalisations of populations in the regions of South Ossetia and Ukraine and the interdependence of this policy with the further use of force. The research aims to frame and conceptualise the strategic foreign policy of “passportisation” by crystallising and further comparing its specific features in the two examined cases of application. The article claims that (i) passportisation as a policy remains loosely defined; (ii) the policy is not illegal per se; (iii) the application of a policy by Russia has changed significantly through the years; and (iv) a very nuanced approach shall be taken in assessing the “bad faith” component depending on the particular case of application. Future hypothetical scenarios of potential intensification of the policy are presented in an attempt to position the policy as an effective strategic tool in the general Russian foreign policy agenda and stress its potential and emerging role. The authors applied a holistic approach to examining the passportisation phenomenon in order to provide the most comprehensive overview of the application of the policy, its legal framework, and potential future scenarios.

Keywords

• passportisation
• extraterritorial naturalisations
• conferral of nationality
• citizenship
• foreign policy
• russia
• south ossetia
• ukraine
• use of force
• protection of nationals abroad