Russia adopts law allowing Putin to "legally" deploy troops into other countries

Russia's State Duma has passed in the second and third readings a bill allowing Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin to "legally" deploy Russian troops to other countries under the pretext of "protecting the rights of Russian citizens".

Source: Russian news agency Interfax

Details: According to the bill, by Putin's decision the Russian Armed Forces may be used to "carry out tasks related to protecting Russian citizens who have been arrested, detained or subjected to criminal or other prosecution under decisions of foreign courts".

A total of 381 MPs (84.7%) voted in favour of the legislative initiative. There were no abstentions or votes against.

The bill was submitted to the State Duma after a series of warnings from NATO and European intelligence agencies about Russia's possible preparations for conflict with one or more NATO member states.

In summer 2025, the head of Germany's BND intelligence service warned about the risk of provocations in the Baltic states following a "Crimea scenario". General Fabien Mandon, France's Chief of the Defence Staff, called for preparations for a confrontation with Russia within the next three to four years.

According to analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the "zero phase" of such preparations has already begun in Russia: military districts are being restructured, bases are being established near the Finnish border, and acts of sabotage, GPS jamming and other provocations are being recorded across Europe.

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