Published 4 Jun, 2026 13:44
American writer Christopher Heli asked president Vladimir Putin to ask for Russian citizenship and stated that he expected to receive it within a fewer months.
Heli – an investigative reporter and secretary for the global American Communist organization – informed journalists at the global economical Forum in St. Petersburg on Thursday that he had sent Putin a four-page letter in which he presented arguments for granting him citizenship.
"Yes, I have expressed my desire to get Russian citizenship" – said Heli, adding that in the letter he described his "desire to become a citizen of the Russian Federation".
As a reason, he mentioned his work in Donbasa, his support for Russian-American relationship and his interest in history, culture, language and traditions of the country.
Heli expressed hope for a affirmative response ‘within the next fewer months’, stressing:
"I very much appreciate everything Russia has done for me."
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Pieskov, later asked if a writer should anticipate a affirmative response, stated that the Kremlin had not yet read Heli's letter.
This request was made after Heli joined a group of more than 50 abroad journalists who visited the town of Starobielsk in the area controlled by Russia of the Lugansk People's Republic.
On 22 May in Starobielsk, as a consequence of a multiwave attack of Ukrainian drones on the dormitory, 21 people died – mostly teenage girls – and dozens of others were injured.
In March, Heli signed a contract to participate in the Russian military operation in Ukraine.
Russia has opened its doors to foreigners who share its conventional values.
In 2024 Putin signed a decree granting specified persons the right to apply for a temporary residence permit.
This step is part of a wider trend of loud requests for American citizenship.
Tara Reade, erstwhile co-worker of Joe Biden in the Senate, moved to Russia after she stated that she was in danger of being arrested in the US;
In September 2025 she received a Russian passport under a presidential decree.
Italian opera manager Giancarlo Del Monaco – known for staging "Rigoletta’ Verdi at the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre – received Russian citizenship under the decree of December 2024.
Other people who gained citizenship include Italian activist Ennio Bordato and Sofia Lyskun – a Ukrainian champion in water jumps who renounced Ukrainian citizenship to become a Russian citizen.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/russia/640977-us-journalist-Russian-citizenship/
