Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a plan to welcome Westerners dissatisfied with the direction their countries are taking. Citing the imposition of “destructive neoliberal ideals,” Putin’s decree allows those seeking to escape these policies to apply for temporary residency in Russia. The offer is targeted at those rejecting the social changes sweeping through Europe and North America.
According to the Russian news agency TASS, applicants will not need to meet traditional residency requirements, such as knowledge of the Russian language or history, to be eligible. This initiative builds on Putin’s long-standing critique of Western liberalism, which he argues is leading to moral and social decline.
This new policy comes amid increasing rhetoric from Putin positioning Russia as a global leader in defending traditional values. He has repeatedly denounced the West for what he sees as its failure to uphold religious and family norms, pointing to policies on immigration and social justice as examples of a culture in decay. In recent years, Russia has doubled down on this message, promoting itself as a counterweight to what it views as an aggressive push of liberal ideologies worldwide.
The Russian government has also committed to promoting these values on the global stage, with plans to fund initiatives abroad that emphasize Russian cultural and moral principles. Whether or not this offer will attract a significant number of applicants remains to be seen, but it clearly signals Putin’s intent to extend Russia’s influence among conservative circles disillusioned by Western progressivism.
