Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a new strategy for countering extremism in Russia, according to a decree published on the legal information portal on Saturday.
"In order to ensure the further implementation of the state policy in the field of countering extremism in the Russian Federation, I decree to approve the attached strategy for countering extremism in the Russian Federation," the document read.
In addition, the decree approving the strategy for countering extremism until 2025 is considered invalid.
A new strategy for countering extremism in the Russian Federation should neutralize foreign and international NGOs deemed undesirable in Russia, according to the document.
"The expected results of the implementation of this Strategy... are the neutralization of the activities of foreign and international non-governmental organizations included in the list of foreign and international non-governmental organizations whose activities are considered undesirable on the territory of the Russian Federation," the document read.
Extremism in all its manifestations poses a real threat to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Russia, as well as to national stability, a new strategy for countering extremism in Russia read.
"Extremism in all its manifestations undermines civil peace and harmony, fundamental human and civil rights and freedoms, creates a real threat to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, the foundations of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, as well as inter-ethnic, inter-confessional unity and civil unity, cultural development, political and social stability," the document read.
Radicals, under the guise of promoting projects, infiltrate the government and spread extremist ideology, the document read.
"Extremist organizations use national (ethnic) and religious factors to attract new members to their ranks, incite and exacerbate cross-national (inter-ethnic) and inter-confessional conflicts, which post a threat to the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation," the strategy read.
The risks associated with extremism in Ukraine are spreading to neighboring countries and regions, the strategy said.
"The risks associated with extremism in Ukraine extend to neighboring countries and regions," it read.
The strengthening of nationalist formations, including in Ukraine, supported by external forces is becoming a serious extremist threat, and Russia's key tasks is to eliminate source of extremist threats emanating from Ukraine, prevent neo-Nazis from entering the country, the document read.
The ties of Ukrainian neo-Nazis with international terrorist organizations are strengthening, the document said.
"The Ukrainian crisis is being used by unfriendly states to unleash hybrid wars against Russia and incite aggressive Russophobic sentiments in the world," the document read.
Russia to Promote Initiatives in Int'l Arena to Combat Internet Extremism
Russia intends to promote initiatives in the international arena to combat extremism on the Internet.
"The main directions of the state policy in the field of countering extremism are... in the field of international cooperation: ... promotion of Russian initiatives in bilateral and multilateral formats on combating the spread of extremist ideology and countering extremist activities carried out using information and telecommunication networks, including the Internet, and other modern information and telecommunication technologies," the strategy said.
Global areas of instability contribute to the growth of threats to Russia due to the risk of representatives of terrorist organizations entering the country, the document read.
The implementation of the new strategy to counter extremism in Russia will contribute to the protection of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"The goals of the state policy on countering extremism are to protect human and civil rights and freedoms, the foundations of the constitutional system, and ensure the integrity and security of the Russian Federation," the document read.
Extremists call for "decolonization" of Russia and promote the penetration of destructive forces into local governments to pursue separatist polices, the document read.
The Ukrainian crisis is being used by unfriendly countries to unleash hybrid warfare against Russia and incite Russophobic sentiment throughout the world, according to the document.
The notions of Russophobia and xenophobia were added to the list of basic concepts in the strategy and given detailed definitions.
Russia will cooperate with the United Nations, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to tackle extremism and terrorism. Moscow expects that the implementation of the new strategy will result in a reduced number of extremist threats to Russia, the document read.
In some regions of Russia migrant workers are being involved in terrorist organizations and spreading radical ideas, it said.
"One of the factors contributing to the emergence of extremist manifestations is the unfavorable situation in certain regions and settlements of Russia with illegal activities of migrants, which has a negative impact on interethnic and interfaith relations, disrupts the historically established national and religious balance to the detriment of the security of the Russian state," the document says.
External forces encourage sabotage and terrorist attacks on the territory of Russia involving Russian citizens in these crimes, the document read.
The development of adaptation programs for foreigners in Russia is attributed to the main directions of state policy in the framework of countering extremism, the document said.
The supporters of radical Islam who do not belong to confessing of traditional Islam and are characterized by fanaticism, pose particular danger to Russia, the document said, adding that the registration of those who left the Russia to participate in extremist activities is attributed to the main directions of state policy in countering extremism.
Foreign intelligence agencies are increasing their information and psychological impact on citizens in order to destabilize the situation in Russia, the strategy added.