Putin Decree Allows Residency for Citizens of Western Countries

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree today allowing foreign citizens who oppose “destructive neoliberal ideological guidelines” the ability to apply for residency in Russia. The decree also authorizes the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to create a list of foreign states they believe promote ideology that conflicts with traditional Russian spiritual and moral values:

The list of foreign states implementing policies that impose destructive neoliberal ideological guidelines that contradict traditional Russian spiritual and moral values is approved by the Government of the Russian Federation upon the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

The decree stated residents of foreign governments can apply for residency in Russia if the basis for leaving their country is due to opposition of “destructive neoliberal” ideology:

Foreign citizens and stateless persons who have expressed a desire to move to Russian Federation for residence from foreign states of their citizenship or permanent residence on the grounds of non-acceptance of the policies implemented by these states that impose destructive neoliberal ideological guidelines that contradict traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.

The decree allows foreign citizens to apply for residency outside the quota, and waives the requirement that applicants prove fluency in the Russian language:

Grant the right to apply for a temporary residence permit without taking into account the quota approved by the Government of the Russian Federation and without submitting a document confirming knowledge of the Russian language, knowledge of the history of Russia and the fundamentals of the legislation of the Russian Federation.