Russians ‘Weary’ of Constant Bans on This or That Action, Senior Kremlin Aide Says

Paul Goble

            Staunton, April 23 – Sergey Novikov, a close aide to Presidential Administration official Sergey Kiriyenko, says that “our society has grown weary of prohibitive rhetoric” and “it is thus no loner possible to keep banning things.” Instead, he says, the government must encourage certain attitudes and behaviors rather than simply ban others.

            Speaking to a conference on “The Demographic Turning Point in Russia,” the head of the Kremlin’s directorate for public projects who has been identified as the chief censor, says that this is especially important with regard to new parents who have far too much to worry about and don’t need new bans (rbc.ru/politics/23/04/2026/69e9e8549a7947a4136a5ba1).

            If the state issues bans and threats to new parents, Novikov continues, “it won’t lead to anything good.” The best way forward is to “foster an attitude within society, a stimulating environment” in which people aren’t afraid to have children and can be confident that they will receive support.

            Moreover, Novikov stresses, “the inclination of young people to start families as early as possible—and to have children—is a very delicate process ... Naturally, we need to make this 'fashionable'—to ensure that people truly understand the meaning of happiness, of motherhood, and of fatherhood.”