Russia’s ‘Shared Values’ Visa Lures Westerners to Grim Reality

Immigrants Seek Refuge, Find Danger and Disillusionment

Drawn by President Vladimir Putin’s promise of a life aligned with “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values,” dozens of Westerners have sought new beginnings in Russia. However, for some, this pursuit of an idealized life has dissolved into a harsh and dangerous reality.

A Glimmer of Hope Turns Sour

Russia’s “shared values” visa scheme, introduced a year ago, aims to attract those disillusioned with Western societies, citing reasons from escaping “wokeness” to protesting racism. The Kremlin reported 1,156 applications in May, with 33 from Australia. Yet, official media often omits the difficulties faced by these new arrivals.

Francine Villa, an American who moved to Moscow from Miami in 2019, seeking an escape from racism in the United States, recently shared a harrowing account of an attack. Her neighbours, she alleges, changed her apartment’s locks and cut off her electricity, culminating in a physical assault.

Initially, **Ms. Villa** expressed freedom in Russia, telling state-run RT, “I feel free living in Russia because in Russia, no matter what time it is I can walk outside and I’m safe.” Her recent social media posts paint a starkly different picture of her experience.

Systemic Racism and Xenophobia Persist

Reports from organizations like Amnesty International highlight the pervasive issue of “violent racism” in Russia. A 2021 report detailed attacks, including killings, occurring with alarming frequency against anyone not appearing “typically Russian.” Even individuals perceived as sympathetic to foreigners or minority groups have been targeted as “unpatriotic.”

Anecdotal evidence suggests a significant decrease in Australian expatriates in Russia, with only a small number remaining in Moscow. Among the 1,156 applicants for the “shared values” visa, Germany led with 224 applications, followed by Latvia, the US, and France. Australia ranked eleventh.

In October, **Veronica Miros**, a 68-year-old Australian GP turned Abbess Maria leading a Russian Orthodox convent in Sydney, was granted Russian citizenship. While the document doesn’t confirm if this was linked to the “shared values” visa, **Abbess Maria** had previously described Australian society as “almost satanic,” lamenting the perceived decline of Christianity and the growing prevalence of tattoos and unconventional styles.

Family’s Pursuit of Ideals Leads to War Zone

The American family, **Derek** and **DeAnna Huffman**, who relocated from Texas to Russia’s outskirts with their three daughters, citing concerns about “LGBT indoctrination” in US schools, have also faced unexpected consequences. **Mr. Huffman** joined Russia’s military in an effort to expedite their citizenship applications.

A video posted in May revealed **Mr. Huffman** had signed a contract with the army, a move **DeAnna Huffman** stated was for the promise of citizenship. However, **Derek** was reportedly sent to the front lines of the invasion of Ukraine, leading **DeAnna** to express concerns that he felt “thrown to the wolves.” While there were earlier reports of **Mr. Huffman’s** death, he recently communicated with his wife, confirming he was alive and in a war zone.

These accounts underscore the often-unforeseen dangers and disillusionment that can accompany the search for a new life based on perceived shared values, particularly in a nation grappling with complex geopolitical and social issues.