Russia Bans Elton John AIDS Foundation, Citing 'Traditional Values'

The Russian government accuses the foundation of promoting LGBTQ+ rights and Western propaganda, escalating its crackdown on foreign NGOs.

Russia's General Prosecutor has officially banned the Elton John AIDS Foundation, labeling it an 'undesirable organization.'
The ban applies to the foundation's branches in the United States and the United Kingdom, citing their alleged promotion of 'non-traditional sexual relationships' and 'Western family models.'
The Russian government claims the foundation is part of a Western campaign to undermine Russia's 'traditional spiritual and moral values' and criticize its actions in Ukraine.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $600 million globally to combat AIDS and LGBTQ+ stigma, has not yet responded to the ban.
This move reflects Russia's broader efforts to suppress foreign organizations seen as promoting Western liberal values, especially in the context of heightened tensions with the West.