First, the detected linkable resources in order of appearance:
– presidential decree and published on the Kremlin’s website (policy, mentioned 1 times)
– Kremlin’s official site (policy, mentioned 1 times)
I have added up to 5 .gov links, linking only the first mention of each resource in the article body, using the exact resource names as they appear.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted Russian citizenship to Tara Reade, the former U.S. Senate aide who accused President Biden of sexual assault during the 2020 campaign. The decree, issued by presidential order and published on the presidential decree and published on the Kremlin’s website on September 22, 2025, confirms her new status in Russia after more than two years living there. The Kremlin’s public portal, which routinely hosts citizenship decrees, listed her among new recipients, reflecting a process that allows the president to waive standard residency rules for select applicants. The Kremlin’s official site is accessible at Kremlin’s official site.
Reade worked for then-Senator Biden in the early 1990s and went public in 2020 with an allegation that he assaulted her in 1993, a claim he has denied. No formal charges were filed. Multiple media reviews highlighted inconsistencies in her accounts at the time, but the story continued to draw attention during the election and beyond.
In 2023, Reade left the United States and moved to Russia, saying she feared for her safety after repeating her claims during the re-election season. In Moscow, she appeared on state media, including RT, praising Russian officials and criticizing U.S. policy. She sought asylum, then applied for citizenship. According to her public statements, Russian hosts provided support that she said made her feel at home.
Decree and legal framework
- The citizenship grant took effect upon publication of the presidential decree on September 22, 2025.
- Russian law permits the president to approve citizenship directly, which can shorten or skip the usual five-year residency period.
- There is no evidence of any parallel criminal case against President Biden arising from Reade’s allegation.
Russian citizenship is normally available to foreigners after about five years of residence, language testing, and detailed checks. But Russian law allows citizenship by presidential decree, a tool used for people considered of public interest or relevance to the state. In Reade’s case, the decree appears to have bypassed the standard residency track. Russian authorities have used this route in other high-profile cases, including Edward Snowden and Steven Seagal.
Officials did not state reasons for the decision. Still, the timing and profile align with a broader pattern: Russia has, in recent years, simplified citizenship processes for individuals seen as politically important or symbolically useful. The move lands during a period of strained ties between the United States 🇺🇸 and Russia 🇷🇺, giving the story an added diplomatic edge without changing any formal policy between the two nations.
Important: The Kremlin has not provided a written explanation for Reade’s inclusion. As is common practice, orders are posted, names are listed, and the legal effect follows without further public justification.
Public messaging and media role
In Russia, Reade engaged with state media and echoed official narratives about U.S.-Russia relations. She apologized for what she called an “aggressive stance” by the United States toward Russia and thanked Russian outlets and officials for protection and a platform. Her public alignment with these messages likely raised her profile inside Russia, even as it further politicized her case abroad.
- Supporters in Russia framed the citizenship as a humanitarian act.
- Critics abroad viewed it as a political gesture aimed at spotlighting tensions and discrediting a U.S. leader.
Both perspectives are part of public debate; neither changes the core fact that Russian law provides wide presidential discretion on nationality grants.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Russia’s use of presidential decrees for prominent Westerners is part of a longer trend in which nationality becomes both a symbol and a legal status. This approach bolsters domestic messaging and sends a signal to foreign audiences, even if only a small number of people benefit directly.
Practical effects for Reade
The practical effect on Reade is straightforward:
- With a Russian passport, she gains the right to live and work in Russia without separate permits.
- She can access certain services and travel on Russian documents.
- She may apply for residence registration and local benefits available to citizens.
- Any limits or duties—such as tax obligations—will follow Russian law.
For Americans watching the case, it’s important to separate the legal from the political. Legally, Russian citizenship is a status conferred by Russian authorities alone. Politically, the timing and publicity can serve broader aims. The United States has no role in Reade’s status in Russia and, as with other citizenship decisions abroad, cannot veto or reverse it.
Background and timeline
- Work in Biden’s office: 1992–1993
- Public accusation: 2020
- Relocation to Russia: 2023
- Citizenship decree published: September 22, 2025
The 2025 decree also revives debate about her original allegation. Media outlets in 2020 scrutinized her story, with several reporting gaps and changes in details. President Biden denied the claim. No charges were brought. That record remains unchanged. What has changed is Reade’s home and passport, and the stage on which she now speaks.
Broader implications
For people following Russian immigration policy, this case highlights the role of presidential discretion in status decisions. While most applicants follow a structured path—filing paperwork, meeting stay requirements, and taking language tests—some receive expedited approval for public, humanitarian, or state-interest reasons.
- The fast track is rare and typically applies where the state decides there’s a special interest.
- Most applicants without public profiles will still follow routine channels and timeframes.
This story sits at the intersection of personal refuge and statecraft. Reade presented the move as protection for herself and her family. The Kremlin, by issuing a decree, placed her among a select list of Western figures who received national status through direct order. That choice adds to a roster Russia uses to tell a broader story about who it welcomes and why.
Diplomatically, Washington is unlikely to respond beyond standard comments, if any. Citizenship decisions are sovereign acts. Still, the optics may feature in media narratives around U.S.-Russia rivalry, as both sides cite examples to press their points.
For now, the legal endpoint is clear: Reade is a Russian citizen by order of Vladimir Putin, as recorded on the Kremlin’s website. Russian documents and rights will follow from that status, and her public voice will continue from Moscow, where she has already built a platform.
This Article in a Nutshell
On September 22, 2025, President Vladimir Putin granted Russian citizenship to Tara Reade by presidential decree published on the Kremlin’s website. Reade, who worked for then-Senator Joe Biden in 1992–1993 and publicly accused him of sexual assault in 2020 (an allegation Biden denies), relocated to Russia in 2023 citing safety concerns. In Moscow, she engaged with state media and sought asylum before applying for citizenship. Under Russian law, the president can waive normal residency rules—typically five years—when granting nationality by decree. The move provides Reade the rights of a Russian passport holder and fits a pattern of expedited naturalization for high-profile individuals, carrying political symbolism amid strained U.S.–Russia relations.
