Russia drafting "loyalty" pledge legislation for tourists

Russia’s state news agency reported Wednesday that the Russian interior ministry drafted legislation requiring all visiting foreigners to sign a “loyalty agreement” to enter the country. The agreement would bar visitors from publicly criticizing the Russian government, its policies, and its history while in the country. The draft also reportedly includes sections on morals and “propaganda about non-traditional sexual relations.” The punishment for breaking the proposed oath is unclear.

When would this become law? Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, must begin the legislative process by introducing and passing the draft. Once it’s passed, Russian President Vladimir Putin would then have to sign it into law. The draft has not been introduced into the Duma yet, but Chairman for the Duma’s CIS Affairs Committee Leonid Kalashnikov said the draft “is in a high degree of readiness.” Putin’s administration worked alongside the Russian interior ministry and members of the Duma to draft the pledge.

Dig deeper: Read William Fleeson’s report in WORLD Magazine on Ukraine’s resilience against Russia’s invasion.