Britain condemns Russian over decree for east Ukraine passports

Russia's President Vladimir Putin waves to North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, who departs after the talks in Vladivostok, Russia April 25, 2019. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain condemned a move by Russia to simplify the procedure for residents of separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine to obtain Russian passports.

"This step is the latest in a pattern of Russian behaviour aimed at threatening Ukraine’s security and sovereignty, and undermining its territorial integrity," the British foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday.