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Putin discussing population decline in Russia

As History taught us, Russia always counted on its large population to overcome its lack of technological advantage over its enemies. As of Monday April 21st, Vladimir Putin gave himself a pretty powerful weapon in this matter. Prior to Monday, one had to pass a language test in order to qualify for a Russian passport, as well as having parents or grandparents that live or have lived in the territory currently occupied by the Russian Federation. As of this week, anyone who has ancestors who have lived in a territory that has been occupied at one time by the Russian Federation, the USSR or even the old Russian Empire is now eligible for a permanent status in Russia. This thus opens a new opportunity for citizens of all of the soviet states, as well as citizens of Finland, parts of Poland, Alaska, 11 countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and three Baltic republics (as reported by Business Standard). In a Russia facing threats on all fronts, this new pool of citizens should reveal itself as being useful, especially since immigration has declined in the last years.

Source: Business Standard