Serbia grants citizenship to former Ukrainian MP Novynskyi, wanted on treason suspicion
Novynskyi received citizenship through a provision allowing Serbia to naturalize a foreign national under an expedited procedure when authorities determine that doing so is in the country’s interest.
Serbia has granted citizenship to Vadym Novynskyi, a former Ukrainian lawmaker and businessman currently wanted in Ukraine on treason charges, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The decision, published in Serbia's official gazette on September 25, was signed by Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut the day prior.
Novynskyi, a Russian-born businessman who obtained Ukrainian citizenship in 2012, served multiple terms in Ukraine's parliament and was previously associated with the pro-Russian Opposition Bloc. Ukrainian authorities notified him in absentia in January 2025 of his suspicion of high treason and inciting religious hatred. Accusations against him include promoting Russian narratives and acting in Russia's interests through his political and religious activities.
A Kyiv court subsequently ordered Novynskyi's continued detention in absentia, and Ukrainian authorities added him to a wanted list. Novynskyi has denied all allegations, describing himself as a "staunch supporter of Ukraine" and calling claims linking him to Russia's interests unacceptable. His legal team also rejected the portrayal of him as connected to Russian structures.
Ukraine imposed sanctions on Novynskyi in December 2022, and he had announced earlier that he was renouncing his parliamentary seat. Since then, Novynskyi has resided in Croatia and is not the first controversial foreign individual to acquire Serbian citizenship through the expedited procedure. RFE/RL discovered that Serbia has granted citizenship in this manner to over 300 Russian nationals since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including businesspeople and public figures with Kremlin ties or under Western sanctions.
This practice has drawn criticism from the European Union, which has expressed concerns over Serbian passport holders' visa-free access to the bloc and potential security risks when citizenship is granted to sanctioned or politically connected Russian nationals.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
