The Senator chaired a meeting of the Federation Council Commission on the Protection of State Sovereignty and the Prevention of Interference in the Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Vladimir Dzhabarov noted that, since Russia’s adversaries rely heavily on the activities of foreign agents to exert destructive influence on domestic political processes, the current meeting had been convened to discuss the implementation of the Federal Law On Monitoring the Activities of Individuals under Foreign Influence – legislation adopted on the initiative of the Commission itself.
In the Senator’s view, unfriendly countries and the extra-parliamentary – so-called “non-systemic” – opposition that acts under their influence will seek to use the State Duma election campaign as an opportunity to destabilise the socio-political situation.
“Our Commission is keeping a close eye on all forms of foreign interference in the context of election preparations,” said Mr Dzhabarov. “We will consider how this plays out directly during the campaign itself at a separate Commission meeting in July of this year.”
He went on to note that foreign agents were openly discussing not only strategies for interfering in elections and discrediting their outcomes, but also more far-reaching plans, at various venues across Europe. “They are setting up pseudo-representative bodies for the so-called ‘democratic transition in Russia’,” he said, “and at their regular conferences they welcome provocateurs and outright collaborators of neo-Nazis fighting on the side of Ukraine.”
“I believe we need to look carefully at what legislative loopholes still allow such individuals to carry out direct or indirect activities in Russia in the interests of the country’s enemies,” the Senator added.
As a positive example, he cited the Federal Law On Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation, which was approved at a Federation Council meeting on 3 June. Among other things, it adjusts the rules for bringing to administrative account individuals who have committed an administrative offence outside the Russian Federation.
Vladimir Dzhabarov also proposed discussing amendments to the Federal Law On Monitoring the Activities of Individuals under Foreign Influence.
The Senator noted that some activists within the non-systemic opposition were actively promoting the idea of granting special EU passports to so-called “anti-war Russians”. “If such a decision were taken,” he said, “it would be important to consider corresponding amendments to Russian legislation to ensure that holders of these so-called ‘21st‑century passports’ cannot take part in Russia’s socio-political life.”
“We need to anticipate legislative moves in light of emerging trends,” Mr Dzhabarov emphasised.
During the Commission meeting, Deputy Minister of Justice Oleg Sviridenko delivered a report, presenting an analysis of enforcement practice under the Federal Law On Control over the Activities of Persons under Foreign Influence.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr Dzhabarov said the work had been productive and that specific proposals had been put forward. “We are focused on practical solutions,” he said. “There are still some gaps in our legislation, and they need to be addressed if we are to achieve tangible results.”
The next meeting is scheduled for late June.
Participants included Russian senators Nikolay Vladimirov, Vadim Dengin, Andrey Derkach, Nikolai Ezhov, Andrey Kislov, Alexey Kondratev, Artur Kohoyev, Anna Kocherova, Natalia Nikonorova, Peter Tultaev, and Belan Khamchiev, along with Commission experts and invited guests.