For some people, the meaning of the definition of "compatriots" is simple and understandable. These are residents of one state. However, the term "compatriots" has not only a broader meaning, but also a very specific legal status.
Instruction manual
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Persons with such a status as a "compatriot" have the right to rely on the help of their state, even if they do not live in it and do not have its citizenship. Since, according to the legislation of several countries, including Russia, not only people living in one state are considered compatriots, but also moved to a temporary residence in another state. Moreover, the definition of "compatriots" includes even people who permanently live in another country and have accepted its citizenship if they are loyal to their former homeland and feel a spiritual and cultural connection with it. Similarly, the descendants of these people, that is, the heirs, can be considered compatriots.
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The legal status of such people is set forth in detail in the federal law "On the state policy of the Russian Federation regarding compatriots abroad". This document gives the following definition of the term "compatriots". According to this legislative act, compatriots are people born in one country, living or residing in it and having signs of a common language, religion, cultural heritage, traditions and customs, as well as descendants of these persons in a descending line.
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The legislative act also interprets in detail the concept of "compatriots abroad", which includes citizens of the Russian Federation permanently residing abroad, as well as people who have citizenship of other states, but retaining spiritual and cultural ties with Russia. Among these persons there may be representatives of peoples historically permanently residing in the territory of Russia, as well as representatives of other peoples who consciously made a choice in favor of a spiritual and cultural connection with Russia. However, in the latter case, in order to be considered compatriots, such persons must have ascending relatives who previously lived in the territory of the Russian Federation (either the USSR or the Russian Empire).
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Several Russian politicians have repeatedly come forward with the initiative to grant all compatriots who have citizenship of other states the right to visa-free entry into the Russian Federation. In their opinion, such a step would help strengthen the ties of our homeland with foreign diasporas and facilitate the repatriation of people wishing to return to Russia. However, these proposals have not yet taken the form of law.
