American men sick of ‘woke West’ offered Russian visas

Moscow provides fast-track path into the country for foreigners who approve of its ‘traditional values’

American men sick of woke Western values are being offered Russian visas.
Moscow’s so-called “Shared Values Visa” offers a fast-track path into the country for foreigners who approve of its “traditional values.”
The scheme forgoes the traditional Russian language and history tests usually demanded of people applying for temporary residence permits.
A decree, signed by Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, says the visas are open to people who oppose “destructive neoliberal ideological agenda” in their home countries.
Moscow argues that it is offering “humanitarian support” to those who apply.
The scheme is open to residents from no fewer than 47 countries, including the US, UK, and France.
It appears to also target smaller nations where Washington has a strategic interest, such as Micronesia, where the US is bolstering its military presence to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific.
Experts have argued that the scheme is as much about destabilizing the West as it is a propaganda tool used by Putin to claim Russia is an attractive destination for foreigners.
Temporary visas obtained under the scheme can be further fast-tracked into citizenship for foreigners willing to sign up to join Russia’s occupation forces in neighboring Ukraine.
Promoting the visa route, Russia’s interior ministry announced that an American couple took up the offer because of “the abolition of traditional moral and family values in American society, as well as the low level of education.”
The couple was named as Leo Lionel and Chantel Felice, who Moscow claimed had moved to the country with their children, aged 16, 14, and 11.
“Personally, I want to thank your president Putin for allowing Russia to become a good place for families in this world climate,” Mr Lionel was quoted as saying in a Russian government press release.
“We intend to use this opportunity to benefit our family. I feel like I’ve been put in an arch of safety. It’s very important. Thank you so much.”
Moscow has also promoted moves made by British and Canadian residents under the scheme.
Russia has long been seen as a destination for Westerners seeking to escape the authorities in their home country.
Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who in 2013 leaked details of America’s surveillance programs, fled to Moscow to seek asylum after becoming a whistleblower.
More recently, Wilmer Puello-Mota, a former US serviceman, traveled to Russia to avoid child porn charges in the US.
He has since joined the Russian armed forces as a drone operator and has been deployed in Ukraine.
The Telegraph has contacted the US State Department and Russia’s embassy in Washington DC, for comment.