Russia declares Stanford University undesirable on 12 April 2026

Key facts

• The Justice Ministry of Russia added the United States (US)-based Stanford University to its list of undesirable organisations on 12 April 2026.
• Stanford University is the 19th Western university to be added to the list over the last five years.
• The Stanford University Centre for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREEES) has also been included in the undesirable classification.
• According to Russian law, students affiliated with an undesirable organisation can face up to four years in prison, while organisers may face up to six years.
• Over 200 foreign organisations, including Yale University, Amnesty International, and the British Council, have been declared undesirable by Russia.
• Russia introduced the law regarding undesirable organisations in 2015 to regulate foreign-funded entities and opposition groups.
• The Kremlin has applied the foreign agent tag to more than 1,000 organisations and individuals, requiring them to adhere to strict reporting requirements.