Russian President Vladimir Putin has introduced a new decree aimed at foreign nationals and individuals seeking refuge from wokeness. 

Signed on Monday, the law allows these individuals to apply for temporary residency in Russia.

The decree is specifically designed to attract those who “share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values” and are looking to escape the “destructive neoliberal ideological agenda” prevalent in their home countries. 

The loosened immigration policy also allows these applicants to bypass requirements such as knowledge of the Russian language, history, and laws.

According to the state-run TASS agency, individuals can seek temporary refuge in Russia if they reject their home countries’ policies that impose woke agendas.

Putin has also instructed the government and Foreign Ministry to compile a list of countries that Russia deems as “pursuing a destructive neoliberal agenda” within 30 days.

The Foreign Ministry is set to begin issuing three-month visas to eligible applicants by September.

This latest move continues a trend in Russia of outlawing foreign movements that have been characterized by officials in the country as Western subversion, with 17 LGBT organizations being labelled “foreign agents”.

This trend has especially intensified since the war in Ukraine began. Specifically, the infamous 2013 ‘gay propaganda’ ban was reinforced in 2022, and it now covers public awareness campaigns and other activities related to LGBT activism, including in art, science, and education.

The promotion of non-traditional sexual relations and legal and/or medical gender changes have also been outlawed.

Human Rights Watch has since issued statements urging countries in the EU to extend long-term visas to LGBT people in Russia who may seek to leave the country to avoid possible criminal prosecution, persecution, threats, or in cases of emergency.