The Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a press release criticizing Turkmenistan for its \"unilateral and hasty action\" in implementing a protocol ending dual citizenship of the two countries. The ministry pointed out that Russia has not yet ratified the document. There has been some criticism in the Russian media of the Russian government for allegedly abandoning the Russian-speaking population of Turkmenistan. Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov has given those holding dual citizenship two months to decide which citizenship they wish to retain. According to the press release, the Turkmen ambassador to Moscow was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and told that until Turkmenistan receives written notification that Russia has ratified the protocol, the dual-citizenship agreement remains in force. The ministry reportedly also complained about the two-month deadline for choosing citizenship, asserting that it is a \"serious blow to the interests of our fellow citizens in Turkmenistan\" and affects their fundamental rights. In addition, the ministry said it warned Turkmenistan that the protocol cannot be made retroactive, as Niyazov is doing, and that the way the protocol is implemented will affect future relations between the two countries. (Interfax)