Russia Sets Conditions for 'Loyalty Agreement' for Foreigners

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs is developing a draft law that will require foreigners to sign a "loyalty agreement" prohibiting them from criticizing official policies, belittling the history of the Soviet military, or violating traditional family values. According to the Russian news agency TASS on Wednesday, the "Ministry of Internal Affairs has prepared the draft law and will require foreigners entering Russia to sign an agreement that essentially restricts what they can publicly say." Since President Vladimir Putin ordered military troops to enter Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has enacted a series of strict laws criminalizing the defamation of the military, with courts imposing long prison sentences on opposition activists.