Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in the beginning of the active phase of the large scale naval exercise as the Ocean-2024 drills via videoconference from the control centre in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on September 10, 2024. (source: TASR/AP)
While Russia continues to label Slovakia as a hostile nation, it is absent from a new list of countries accused of promoting a ‘neoliberal agenda’ that contradict Russian spiritual and moral values.
Alongside Hungary, Slovakia is the only European Union member not included on this roster, writes the SITA news wire. The Russian Foreign Ministry’s list also includes the USA, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, and New Zealand.
Hungary and Slovakia, along with Turkey, are also the only NATO members omitted from the list.
Previously, individuals from so-called hostile countries faced restrictions on relocating to Russia, but the latest changes aim to simplify the process for humanitarian visas, writes the Sme daily. Notably, applicants will not need proficiency in the Russian language or knowledge of Russian politics or history. However, emigration is accompanied by various restrictions, as foreigners are legally prohibited from interfering in Russia’s domestic and foreign policies; failure to comply may result in limitations on their freedoms.
The term ‘hostile countries’ was first introduced by Russia in 2021, when only the United States and the Czech Republic were added to the list. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a year later, Moscow expanded the list to include an additional 49 countries, encompassing all EU member states. In Slovakia’s case, this was a response to the expulsion of staff from the Russian embassy in Bratislava.
