Putin opposes visas for former Soviet states
February 7th, 2012 - 9:44 pm ICT by IANSMoscow, Feb 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Tuesday defended the country’s immigration policy, saying the introduction of visas for the former Soviet republics would 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.
Over 70 percent of Russians approve of a stricter migration policy, including criminal penalties for violating immigrant law, polls have shown.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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Tags: criminal penalties, economic development, former soviet republics, illegal immigrants, immigration policy, migration policy, moscow, negative consequences, polls, prime minister, ria novosti, russia, russians, soviet states, sphere of influence, vladimir putin