Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday extending a simplified process for obtaining Russian citizenship to all Ukrainians.

Why it matters: The fast-track procedure was previously only available in certain parts of Ukraine, and the move to expand it signals Russia's aim to broaden its influence inside Ukraine.

The big picture: Putin initially signed a decree offering a fast-track Russian naturalization process to residents of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2019.

• In May, eligibility for the procedure was extended to the largely Russian-occupied regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, AP reported.
• Last month, Russian forces handed out Russian passports to Ukrainians living in the occupied cities of Kherson and Melitopol.
• Ukrainian officials have not yet responded to the extension of the program to all Ukrainians, per AP.

Go deeper: Russia issues passports to Ukrainians living in two occupied cities