Prime Minister Vladimir Putin defended the country’s immigration policy on Tuesday, saying the introduction of visas for the former Soviet republics will finally push them away out of Russia’s sphere of influence.
“We will lose them then,” he said, adding that Russia will weaken as a result.
Visas will have a number of negative consequences for Russia, which may affect Russia’s economic development, production and living standards, he warned.
Law-abiding people coming to Russia should not be affected while restrictions should only target illegal immigrants, Putin said.
Recent polls show that more than 70 percent of Russians approve of a stricter migration policy, including criminal penalties for violating immigrant law and measures to prevent the appearance of ghetto-like immigrant enclaves.
