Moscow is moving forward with comprehensive regulations that could block major international artificial intelligence platforms from operating within Russian borders, according to newly released government documents.
The Russian Ministry for Digital Development has outlined proposed rules targeting AI services including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini if these platforms cannot meet Moscow’s compliance requirements. Officials say the measures aim to expand Russia’s efforts to create an independent internet infrastructure free from outside influence while upholding what authorities describe as “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.”
Ministry officials stated the proposed framework is intended to “help protect citizens from covert manipulation and discriminatory algorithms.”
The regulatory plan is expected to favor domestically developed AI systems created by Russian companies like state-owned Sberbank and tech firm Yandex. This initiative comes as Moscow continues expanding government oversight of internet services within the country.
Following additional review and official approval, these rules are anticipated to take effect in the coming year.
According to the proposed regulations: “The operation of cross-border artificial intelligence technologies may be prohibited or restricted in cases specified by the legislation of the Russian Federation.”
State media outlet RIA reported Friday that international AI platforms would be subject to these new requirements because they inherently transfer Russian users’ information outside the country’s borders.
Technology attorney Kirill Dyakov explained to RIA that “Cross-border artificial intelligence technologies refers to all foreign AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, where the use of such models results in user data, queries and dialogues being transmitted to the developers of these models outside Russia.”
The three AI systems Dyakov referenced were created by American companies: OpenAI developed ChatGPT, Anthropic created Claude, and Google parent company Alphabet built Gemini.
However, Dyakov noted that other international open-source AI technologies, including China’s Qwen and DeepSeek platforms, could potentially operate within closed systems using Russian infrastructure belonging to government agencies and domestic businesses, since user information would remain within those networks.
Under the proposed regulatory framework, AI platforms serving more than 500,000 daily users would be required to maintain Russian citizen data on servers located within the country for a three-year period, according to RIA’s reporting. Western technology companies have historically declined to comply with similar data localization requirements.
