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The new law, in particular, will not recognize dual citizenship. That is, to obtain Russian citizenship, one will have to renounce one's 'native' citizenship. This provision, however, will not have retroactive effect: that is, those who already have a second citizenship cannot be deprived of it by anyone.
As for Russians themselves, the adoption of the new law de jure does not infringe at all on their right to be citizens of several states at once. Simply, obtaining a second citizenship does not relieve them of the obligation to fully comply with Russian laws, including matters of military service and taxation. The only exceptions are those countries with which Russia has signed relevant treaties. Currently, such agreements exist only with Turkmenistan and Tajikistan (under these treaties, citizens with dual citizenship are not required to pay taxes in Russia if they have already paid in Tajikistan, and vice versa. The same applies to military service). And until a Russian submits an application to the President to renounce Russian citizenship, he will remain under its jurisdiction: i.e., he will be obliged to pay taxes in Russia and perform military duty.
Chairman of the Citizenship Commission under the President of the Russian Federation Oleg Kutafin told journalists that the new law also provides for changes in some conditions necessary for obtaining Russian citizenship.
Now, to become a citizen of Russia, one must continuously live on its territory for not three, as before, but five years. At the same time, the applicant for citizenship may travel to other countries for a period of no more than three months per year. This person must also have a legal source of income and abide by the Constitution of Russia.
Russia may deny citizenship to those who by their actions threaten the country's security, serve in the army, special services, or law enforcement agencies of another state, or have a criminal record for committing grave and especially grave crimes. Russian citizenship will not be granted to chronic drug addicts and those suffering from dangerous infectious diseases. (Under current legislation, Russian citizenship was denied only if the applicant was a member of a political party banned by national laws or was in prison.)
The draft law establishes that a citizen of the Russian Federation cannot be deprived of citizenship or the right to change it. In addition, a citizen of the Russian Federation cannot be expelled from the Russian Federation or extradited to a foreign state. Residence of a citizen of the Russian Federation outside the country also does not terminate his citizenship.
According to the new draft, a child adopted by citizens of other states retains Russian citizenship, and Russia will protect his rights, and a child living on the territory of Russia with a guardian can freely obtain Russian citizenship upon the application of the guardian, even if his parents live in another state.
The new law creates obstacles to sham marriages. If currently marriage to a citizen of Russia is grounds for obtaining Russian citizenship, then after the adoption of the new law, it will be necessary to live in marriage for at least three years to obtain citizenship (an exception will be made only for parents of a child, including an adopted child, who is a citizen of Russia).
Oleg Kutafin also said that each chapter of the new law was discussed with experts from the Council of Europe and the draft was recognized by specialists as 'the most perfect of the currently existing citizenship laws in the world.' According to him, the new law is aimed at ensuring that 'citizenship is obtained by honest and worthy people' and that 'Russia is not a place where anyone can come and go as they please.'
According to Russian experts, the new draft law will pass the State Duma and the Federation Council without much trouble – bills introduced by the president into the Russian parliament are, as a rule, approved by the people's elected representatives with few changes. Why did Russia need such strictness? Apparently, it decided to draw a line under the 'Soviet past.' Now Russian citizenship, which until this year residents of the former USSR could acquire in a practically notification procedure, and without renouncing their old one, will become a privilege almost as inaccessible as the citizenship of developed countries. But then again, Russia promises to take care of its citizens just as thoroughly. Well, we'll live and see.