Russian Interior Ministry: A draft law imposes a loyalty agreement on foreigners
The Russian Interior Ministry is preparing a draft law requiring foreigners to sign a “loyalty agreement” that prohibits them from criticizing official policies, disparaging the history of the Soviet army, or violating traditional family values.
As the 2024 presidential elections approached, Putin described the war with Ukraine as part of an existential battle with the West, saying that he would defend Russia’s sacred civilization from what he portrays as Western decadence.
According to the draft law, a foreigner entering Russia will be prohibited from interfering in the activities of the public authorities of the Russian Federation, and distorting the state’s foreign and internal policy of the Russian Federation, public authorities and their officials in any way.
Foreigners, in particular, will be prohibited from distorting the historical truth about the achievement of the Soviet people in defending the homeland and contributing to the victory over fascism.
It’s estimated that the Soviet Union lost at least 27 million people in World War II, and in the end, it succeeded in pushing the Nazi forces to retreat to Berlin, and then governments loyal to Moscow seized power in large parts of Eastern Europe.
Meanwhile, it’s not clear from Russian media reports to which foreigners the draft law will apply, if its adopted into law, or what the penalty will be for not adhering to the agreement that foreigners must sign once they enter Russia.
