Here is Russia’s list of “destructive neoliberal countries”

The Russian government has now published a list of 47 countries that it believes “promote neo-liberal ideologies that contradict traditional Russian values”. Citizens from these countries can now apply for a residence permit if they want to escape the political currents in their home countries.

The Nordic Times has previously reported on information and signs indicating that Moscow intended to open up the country’s historically strict visa rules and asylum laws for Westerners who want to escape the liberal cultural revolution in their home countries.

President Vladimir Putin has recently signed a decree allowing foreigners from certain countries to apply for a residence permit in Russia, if they consider that the “neoliberal ideological attitudes of their home countries are contrary to traditional Russian values”.

On Friday, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin presented a list of 47 states that hold “destructive neoliberal ideological attitudes ” (see info box below).

‼️ The Russian Government made a list of:

“foreign states and territories implementing policies that impose destructive neoliberal ideological attitudes that contradict traditional Russian spiritual and moral values”

Let’s see who made the list! pic.twitter.com/k9puWSIrm1

— Prune60 (@Prune602) September 20, 2024

“Sanctuary of normality”

According to the decree, citizens from these countries can now apply for a residence permit without meeting the usual immigration requirements, such as language skills or knowledge of Russian history, or other bureaucratic requirements. The Russian side describes this as an attempt to offer a “sanctuary of normality” at a time of what it calls “cultural upheaval” in the West.

The plan is said to have originated in part from a symposium in February where Italian student Irene Cecchini proposed the idea of “impatriation” to Putin. Cecchini suggested that Russia should facilitate the process for foreigners who share its cultural and family-oriented values to settle in the country as a way to counter Russia’s own demographic challenges.

Nordic countries on the list

All countries in Scandinavia are on the list. Hungary and Slovakia are some of the countries not on the list. Most of the countries listed have also previously been on the “unfriendly countries” register, making them subject to Russian diplomatic measures based on their level of “hostile behavior”.