The Russian State Duma approved a controversial bill on Wednesday that gives President Vladimir Putin the authority to send troops abroad.

Officially, this is for the “protection” of Russian citizens who, by his own account, are being persecuted by foreign states and international courts.

According to the bill, the Russian president may take military action when Russian citizens face arrest, detention, trial, or other forms of alleged persecution abroad.

State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stated: “Western ‘justice’ has turned into a repressive machine to deal with those who disagree with the decisions imposed by European officials.

“Volodin states that it is important to “make every effort to ensure the protection of our citizens abroad.”Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Defense Committee, claims that the law would “provide a counterbalance to the unbridled campaign of Russophobia continuing abroad.”Putin now has fourteen days to officially sign the bill.

(C)NU.NL 2026