Russia's Putin extends passport offer to Ukraine citizens

Russia's President Vladimir Putin lights a candle as he visits the Transfiguration of the Saviour Cathedral at the Valaam Monastery in the Republic of Karelia, Russia July 17, 2019. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order on Wednesday further expanding the number of Ukrainian citizens who can apply for fast-track Russian passports.

Moscow made the move ahead of a Ukrainian parliamentary election on Sunday, when a Russia-friendly party may become the strongest competitor of the more popular Servant of the People party, led by new president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, according to opinion polls.