in-cyprus 21 September 2024
The Russian government has issued a list of 47 countries and territories it deems to exhibit “destructive behaviours contrary to Russian spiritual and moral values”, state news agency TASS reported on Saturday.
The roster, approved by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, largely mirrors Russia’s existing “unfriendly countries” list, established following mutual sanctions.
It includes most European Union nations, with the notable exceptions of Hungary and Slovakia, as well as NATO countries, without Turkey.
Cyprus, Greece, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other members of the so-called “Western coalition” such as Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan are among those named.
The move follows a decree by President Vladimir Putin aimed at providing humanitarian support and easing relocation for citizens from these countries who “share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values”.
According to TASS, citing unnamed sources, the decree establishes a simplified process for those who “do not accept the destructive neoliberal behaviours in their countries, which contradict traditional values” to settle in Russia.
Russian diplomatic sources claim that “several dozen” Western citizens have already taken advantage of this relocation scheme, though these figures could not be independently verified.
