Alpha male Putin with his pet
Plans are underway in Russia to build a settlement for conservative American and Canadian immigrants seeking to leave the West “for ideological reasons,” at least according to a Moscow-based immigration lawyer.
Timur Beslangurov, a partner in the law firm VISTA Immigration, claimed that construction would begin next year on a village in the Moscow region for about 200 families from North America, financed by the immigrants themselves.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has wooed Western right-wingers and conservatives by positioning himself as a staunch defender of a traditionalist, Christian European identity, resulting in pro-Russian narratives about the invasion of Ukraine becoming widespread in far-right and conspiracist networks.
Beslangurov said the Moscow region administration has green lit the construction of the expat village and that it will be financed by the relocating families.
The lawyer further claimed without offering evidence that “tens of thousands” of foreigners without Russian roots would like to move to Russia for similar ideological reasons.
The construction of a migrant village for Americans and Canadians has not yet been publicly announced by officials.
Beslangurov reportedly said traditional Catholics are among the 200 families from the United States and Canada that are looking to move to the Russian village because they “very strongly believe in the prophecy that Russia will remain the only Christian country in the world.” In total, Beslangurov said, tens of thousands of people with no ties to Russia want to move to the country.
While Russia is at odds with the U.S. government, especially in regards to the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken up causes favored by many Western conservatives. He has signed legislation that restricts LGBTQ+ rights, and he enjoyed a closer relationship with former President Donald Trump than with Trump’s Democratic successor to the White House.
Russian state-operated media outlets also give Trump favorable coverage and often air clips from right-wing pundits critical of the war in Ukraine, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Russian state TV anchor Vladimir Solovyov said in an email to Carlson posted to Telegram. “We’ll happily offer you a job if you wish to carry on as a presenter and host!”
