Russia proposes “loyalty agreement” for foreign arrivals

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs is reportedly preparing a draft law that could require foreign citizens entering the country to prove their “loyalty.” The state-owned agency Tass has shed light on the proposed legislation, which introduces the concept of a “loyalty agreement” outlining specific restrictions for visitors.

Among the stipulations mentioned in the draft law were prohibitions against “discrediting Russian state policy,” rejecting “traditional family values,” and “distorting” the contribution of the Soviet Union to the victory over fascism. 

The loyalty agreement, as outlined in the project, serves as both the permission granted by Russian state authorities for a foreign citizen to enter the country and the individual’s commitment to adhere to the specified restrictions during their stay.

The potential consequences of violating the “loyalty agreement” remain unclear at this point. However, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs is expected to submit the bill to the Duma in the near future, as Tass reported. 

This move comes amid a series of repressive changes in legislation by President Vladimir Putin’s government, coinciding with the ongoing large-scale war against Ukraine.