Offsetting falling birth rates with immigration is destructive to stability and national identity, the Russian president has said

Russia will support family values as the foundation of its society, rather than following in the footsteps of countries that try to solve demographic issues by replacing their native populations with "chaotic migration," Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

Speaking at a meeting of a government council for demographic and family policy on Wednesday, Putin said that falling birth rates have become a global trend and a challenge both domestically and abroad.

"Different countries respond to this demographic challenge in various ways, including encouraging uncontrolled, and even chaotic migration to replace the native population," he said. As a result, nations often sacrifice national identity, culture and internal political stability, he added.

Putin said Russia must foster a social norm where having large families is seen as natural and prestigious. Families with three or more children should become the norm, he said, adding that rather than applying pressure, the state will focus on building trust by ensuring timely support.

Existing aid programs - such as maternity capital, benefits for low-income families, and preferential mortgages - will continue, alongside new incentives such as tax cuts and housing assistance for families with two or more children.

Russian officials have long warned of a looming demographic crisis in the country, with 2024 data showing the lowest annual birth rates since 1999.

Despite this, Russia has been methodically tightening migration policy since the deadly Crocus City Hall terrorist attack last year in which IS-linked Tajik nationals killed 149 people at the behest of Ukrainian intelligence, according to Russian authorities.

However, Putin has moved to ease immigration to Russia for foreigners who share its "traditional values" and disagree with "destructive neoliberal ideology" pushed by their governments.

(RT.com)