Putin Excludes Hungary, Labels Poland as Nation with ‘Destructive Ideology’
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree identifying Poland as a state driven by a “destructive neoliberal ideology,” thereby labeling it as eligible for “humanitarian assistance” for its citizens. Surprisingly, this list does not include Hungary and Slovakia, both of which are EU members.
According to reports from Mediazona and Parameter, an independent Russian news site and a Russian publication respectively, Russia has compiled a list of 47 countries whose ideologies are believed to clash with “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.” This list includes not only Poland and Ukraine, but also nations like the U.S., Canada, the UK, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and New Zealand.
Interestingly, among EU countries, only Slovakia and Hungary are absent from the blacklist. Additionally, Turkey, a NATO member, was also excluded from the list.
Sources familiar with the decree, signed by Putin on Thursday, reveal that it was drafted by the Russian Foreign Ministry and officially approved under presidential orders. The decree stipulates that citizens from the blacklisted countries who wish to relocate to Russia and adhere to its traditional values will receive “humanitarian support,” including temporary residency without the usual requirements such as proficiency in the Russian language or knowledge of the country’s history and legal system.
This move by Russia has sparked discussions and raised questions about the implications for international relations, and the motivations behind such a decree. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the relationships between Russia and the countries on this list.
