Russia mulls extending asylum to foreigners exposed to Russophobia

Russia’s Interior Ministry has proposed the granting of asylum to foreigners exposed to Russophobia as part of a new bill, state-affiliated business outlet RBC said on Tuesday.

The bill distinguishes four different forms of protection in Russia for foreigners: refugee status, temporary asylum, political asylum and temporary protection. At present, such matters are regulated by the existing law “On Refugees”.

An applicant who was unable “to observe traditional family values and prioritise raising children in a family, as recognised by the Russian Federation” in their home country would be eligible for temporary asylum, the ministry said, as would an applicant who faced “fears related to Russophobia”. Temporary asylum status would be granted for one year, and could subsequently be extended twice.

The proposed bill says that a person who had been persecuted for his views in his homeland would be eligible for political asylum, while temporary protection would be provided in the event of a mass influx of people fleeing a conflict zone. Asylum requests would only be accepted from applicants already within Russia.

In August, Vladimir Putin proposed streamlining the process for foreign citizens who opposed the “destructive neoliberal ideological attitudes” allegedly imposed by governments in their home countries who wanted to move to Russia.

According to Interior Ministry data, there were 216 refugees and almost 10,000 people with temporary asylum registered in Russia at the end of 2024, RBC said.