Russian Lawmakers Propose Tougher Regulations on Foreign Agents

(MENAFN) A group of Russian legislators has introduced a draft bill to the State Duma aimed at tightening regulations on individuals labeled as foreign agents.

The proposed legislation would impose new restrictions, such as preventing foreign agents from registering as individual entrepreneurs or accessing remote banking services, lawmaker Vasily Piskaryov said on Tuesday.

Under the draft law, banks and government agencies would be required to electronically provide information on the financial accounts and transactions of foreign agents within three days of a request from the Justice Ministry.

In an accompanying note, the lawmakers argued that, amid what they described as ongoing “subversive activity” by “unfriendly countries,” the bill would “increase transparency” in the economic and financial operations of foreign agents and enable the “swift suppression” of legal violations by individuals under foreign influence.

The measure is intended to enhance inter-agency coordination in monitoring compliance with foreign agent legislation, Piskaryov explained. The draft would bar foreign agents from registering as individual entrepreneurs or self-employed workers, using remote banking or electronic signatures, conducting property transactions, or accessing state services online.

The new regulations would allow authorities to “strengthen oversight” of foreign agents’ finances and promptly “respond to violations of the law,” State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on his messaging channel. He further emphasized the need to “put a stop to any illegal activity by those who have betrayed our country.”

MENAFN28012026000045017281ID1110662507