On Tuesday, Russian lawmakers discussed new amendments to the current legislation, which impose restrictions on the departure of vehicles from Russia. The new rules are expected to take effect on September 1.
Under proposed new legislation that is ostensibly aimed at reducing long car delays and waiting times at Russia’s land borders, anyone wanting to leave the country in their car will have to reserve a time and location to cross the border.
The new law has raised concerns that further restrictions on travel within and outside of Russia are possible.
The amendment, introduced into the bill after the first reading in the State Duma in August, was proposed by Yevgeny Moskvichev, a deputy from the ruling United Russia party.
Later Moskvichiv specified that the new requirements will apply only to cargo transport, and not to ordinary passenger cars, writes the Russian publication “RBK Daily”.
“It will be possible to book a date and time for free,” the draft law says is quoted “Interfax” agency writes. “Booking can be refused only if the applicant fails to provide [required] documents and information, the list of which is determined by the government”.
Editorial article of the pro-government newspaper “Novye Izvestia” for Tuesday reminded a Soviet-era requirement for citizens to obtain permission to leave the country.
However, on Tuesday, the Kremlin denied plans to restrict Russians from traveling abroad.
“No, it is not discussed in the Kremlin. And there are indeed explanations in the text, which, I think, can be used,” Kremlin press secretary Dmitriy Piaskov said. said.
