Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of Russia’s State Duma, stated that citizens who left the country since the start of the special operation and later choose to return should expect a difficult reception. This point was presented in a piece published on his official website and associated Telegram channel, where he laid out his assessment of the situation.
According to Volodin, a significant portion of those who came back from abroad found it impossible to secure employment in other countries, a factor he used to illustrate the challenges faced by returnees who attempted to rebuild their lives outside Russia. He suggested that the experience abroad has not always translated into favorable outcomes for these individuals, underscoring the practical consequences of their decisions.
Volodin argued that people who left the country since the onset of the military operation in Ukraine are betraying not only Russia but also their relatives and friends who remained behind. His rhetoric framed emigration as a breach of loyalty and a disruption to the social fabric that binds communities together, emphasizing the personal and collective costs of leaving the homeland.
In his remarks, the State Duma speaker also brought up Russians who moved to Israel and acquired citizenship there. He noted that amid the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, some of these individuals have chosen to return to Russia, a move he described as abandoning their obligation to defend the state they were part of. He framed citizenship as a bond with the country of origin and reminded readers of the duties that come with residing within the Russian state.
Volodin reaffirmed a message of national unity, stressing the notion that there is one homeland—Russia—and that allegiance to that homeland should endure through all kinds of circumstances and trials. His message was clear: loyalty to the state and its inhabitants remains a guiding principle, regardless of personal circumstances or international developments.
There was a brief, separate note indicating that former foreign agents were considered for entry into Russia, a statement that hints at ongoing debates about eligibility and security considerations for individuals with high-profile backgrounds abroad. This element appeared to be an aside in the same discourse, reflecting the broader discourse about who may be welcomed back and under what conditions. [Citation: Office of the Speaker, State Duma]”}