Foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia “outside the quota approved by the Russian government”, and also without having to demonstrate knowledge of the Russian language and Russian history.
Moscow says it will help any foreigners who want to escape the neoliberal ideals promoted in their own countries and move to Russia, where it believes more traditional values prevail. This is according to a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin, reports Russian state broadcaster Tass.
According to the document, such foreign citizens will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia “outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws”. Residence permit applications can be based on rejecting their countries’ policies “aimed at imposing destructive neoliberal ideals on people that are contrary to traditional Russian spiritual and moral values”.
The values are listed in the basics of Russia’s state policy in this area, while the Russian government is expected to compile a list of those countries deemed to be imposing unhealthy attitudes on their citizens. The Foreign Ministry has been instructed to start issuing three-month visas to such applicants as early as September.
In February, Putin endorsed Italian student Irene Cecchini’s idea that Russia should ease entry rules for those who share traditional cultural and family values. The head of state agreed that each case requires an individual approach.
