Russia grants more than 1,100 visas in 2025 under a Kremlin-backed program for foreigners who say they support “traditional values,” according to officials. The initiative, described by Russia’s foreign ministry as offering “humanitarian support,” allows citizens of the United States, European Union countries and others to apply for special visas. Applicants are presented as opposing what Moscow calls the “liberal” or “neoliberal” ideological agenda and social norms in their home countries.
Kyiv Post reports that recipients include Germans, French and Americans among the highest numbers, and links the scheme to President Vladimir Putin’s broader anti-Western messaging. The Moscow Times similarly describes the visas as tied to applicants’ declared opposition to Moscow’s characterization of Western political and cultural influence.
Both outlets portray the program as part of a wider state effort to promote Russia’s worldview internationally and to attract foreign supporters by offering legal status options through a specialized visa pathway. The reported figures refer to visas issued during 2025.
