Russian lawmakers approve bill allowing Putin to invade foreign countries

(Abbey Fenbert – The Kyiv Independent) Russia’s State Duma, the lower house of the country’s parliament, approved a bill on May 13 that gives Russian President Vladimir Putin the authority to invade foreign countries. The law allows the Russian president to order troop deployments abroad to “protect” Russian citizens facing arrest, detention, trial, or other perceived persecution by foreign nations and international courts. “Western ‘justice’ has turned into a repressive machine for dealing with those who disagree with the decisions imposed by European officials,” said Vyacheslav Volodin, chair of the Russian State Duma. “In these circumstances, it is important to do everything to ensure that our citizens abroad are protected.” – Russian lawmakers approve bill allowing Putin to invade foreign countries