Moscow, September 20, 2024 — The Europe Today: RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan has criticized what she describes as a “wokeism catastrophe” gripping the West, accusing Western nations of imposing their ideological agenda on others. Speaking at the Fourth Eurasian Women’s Forum in St. Petersburg on Thursday, Simonyan argued that Russia’s defense of traditional values could make it a “safe haven” for those who reject Western progressive ideals.
Simonyan, who moderated a panel discussion on preserving cultural values, expressed concern over the West’s promotion of ideas such as same-sex marriage, gender reassignment, and the child-free movement, labeling these practices as contrary to Russia’s traditional beliefs. She highlighted the controversial participation of “physiological males” in women’s competitions during the recent Olympic Games as an example of the degradation she believes is being mistaken for progress.
The RT chief accused the West of confusing moral advancement with societal decline, stating, “Progress is like yogurt: not all are equally healthy,” and criticized what she called the “aggressive Westernization” of cultural norms. She mocked Western countries for promoting what she called a “woke religion” while defending Russia’s adherence to values such as family, human dignity, and patriotism.
Simonyan suggested that Russia could emerge as a sanctuary for individuals worldwide who oppose Western ideological movements. She noted that Russia’s promotion of traditional values could not only stabilize its demographic situation but also offer a refuge for those disillusioned by neoliberal attitudes.
“The secret of the Soviet Union was in this beautiful idea of universal equality… We can offer the world a safe haven for normalcy,” Simonyan said, drawing parallels between Soviet-era ideals and Russia’s potential to attract those seeking more conservative cultural environments.
Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree easing visa restrictions for foreigners seeking to relocate to Russia for moral reasons. The preferential visa rules, which will be implemented later this month, will apply to those rejecting the “neoliberal ideological attitudes” of their home countries in favor of Russia’s spiritual and moral values.
