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According to a report by The Kyiv Independent on Thursday, May 14, 2026, Lawmakers in Russia have approved a controversial bill granting President Vladimir Putin broader authority to deploy Russian troops outside the country under the justification of protecting Russian citizens abroad.
The legislation was passed on May 13 by the State Duma, Russia’s lower chamber of parliament, and now awaits the president’s signature before becoming law.
Under the proposed measure, the Russian president would be empowered to authorise military deployments to foreign countries if Russian citizens are perceived to be facing arrest, detention, prosecution or other forms of alleged persecution by foreign governments or international courts.
Supporters of the legislation argue that the move is necessary to safeguard Russians living overseas amid what Moscow describes as growing hostility toward the country and its citizens.
Speaking in support of the bill, Vyacheslav Volodin claimed that Western legal institutions had become politicised tools used against those who oppose European policies.
“Western ‘justice’ has turned into a repressive machine for dealing with those who disagree with the decisions imposed by European officials,” Volodin said.
“In these circumstances, it is important to do everything to ensure that our citizens abroad are protected,” he added.
The chairman of the Duma Defence Committee, Andrey Kartapolov, also defended the legislation, stating that it would help counter what he described as “rampant Russophobia” in foreign countries.
According to Russian law, Putin now has 14 days to either sign the bill into law or return it for further review.
The legislation has already drawn criticism from observers and Western officials, who fear it could provide Moscow with a broader legal framework for future military interventions beyond its borders.
Critics argue that the concept of “protecting Russian citizens” has repeatedly been used by the Kremlin as political justification for military action in neighbouring countries.
That narrative featured prominently in Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow described in part as an effort to defend Russian-speaking populations in eastern Ukraine.
European governments and members of NATO have increasingly warned about what they view as an expanding security threat posed by Russia’s military posture and foreign policy ambitions.
The war in Ukraine has already heightened tensions between Russia and NATO countries, especially after reports of Russian missiles and drones crossing into or near alliance territory during military operations.
In response to the ongoing conflict and Moscow’s military activities, several European countries have significantly increased defence spending, strengthened border security and expanded military cooperation within NATO.
