Several British citizens have reportedly taken up Vladimir Putin's offer to leave the "woke" West and move to Russia, where they believe traditional values are upheld,

according to Russian media.

In just ten days, 17 individuals from Scotland have expressed interest in fast-tracking their residency in Russia by contacting Russian diplomats. The Kremlin claims that these people are seeking refuge from "destructive neoliberal ideologies" prevalent in the West.

This comes after Putin revised immigration laws to attract Westerners who share Russia's conservative values. The new policy aims to provide what Putin describes as "humanitarian aid" to those who align with traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.

A number of Western families have already moved to Russia under this initiative. For example, Americans Leo Lionel and Chantel Felice Haer, along with their three children, aged 16, 14, and 11, have relocated. Expressing gratitude to the Russian president, Lionel said, "I want to thank President Putin for making Russia a safe place for families in this current global climate. We feel like we’ve been placed in an arch of safety."

Similarly, Canadian farmer Arend Feinstra and his wife moved with their eight children from Ontario to Russia, citing concerns about the rise of left-wing ideologies and LGBTQ+ issues in Canada. Feinstra explained, "We didn't feel our children were safe there, especially with the growing emphasis on teachings we disagree with. We also saw better farming opportunities in Russia."

According to the Kremlin-backed Mash media outlet, all 17 British applicants reached out to Russia’s consulate-general in Edinburgh after Putin’s announcement. No data was provided for the Russian embassy in London.

Pro-Putin TV channel Tsargrad TV reported, "It seems like people in the West were waiting for this decree. In the first ten days alone, 17 citizens from Britain expressed their desire to move to Russia."These individuals, described as "tired of the liberal agenda," have been promised exemptions from immigration quotas and language exams.

However, concerns remain about whether male migrants might be pressured into joining the military, particularly given Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Russian MP Maria Butina, known for her pro-Putin stance, has been vocal about what she calls the "liberal dictatorship" in the West. She claims many Westerners want to move to Russia for the freedom to live traditionally, and it is not just farmers but also intellectuals, teachers, and doctors who are seeking to relocate.

Butina, who was previously jailed in the U.S. on charges of conspiring to act as a foreign agent, now serves as a member of the United Russia party. After serving her sentence, she was deported back to Russia in 2019.

In her remarks, Butina emphasized that while the people of Western countries are not enemies, their governments are "insane" for enforcing liberal policies. She even suggested that in some Western nations, such as Germany, children could face re-education for opposing same-sex unions.

Despite the political motivations behind the move, some Western families see Russia as a place where they can preserve their values and future. However, uncertainties remain, especially concerning the role of migrants in Putin’s larger geopolitical ambitions. Photo by Dion Hinchcliffe, Wikimedia commons.