The initiative to recognize the activities of the educational foundation "International Baccalaureate" (IB) as "undesirable" in Russia came from State Duma Vice Speaker Anna Kuznetsova. This is reported by T-invariant, citing its sources.
As journalists found out, in the previous academic year, Kuznetsova organized inspections in all Russian schools that worked under the IB program. Based on their results, in April 2025, she sent a request to the Prosecutor General's Office proposing to ban the activities of the Swiss foundation.
According to T-invariant, the request targeted not only IB but also the "Council of International Schools" (CIS).
Kuznetsova pointed out that IB continues to certify educational institutions guided by the idea of educating "global citizens." CIS, she stated, emphasizes the protection of LGBTQ+ rights, which, in the vice speaker's opinion, contradicts Russian legislation and raises serious concerns.
One of the publication's sources suggested that Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova and her husband, "Orthodox oligarch" Konstantin Malofeev, may be connected to the potential ban on IB in Russia. T-invariant notes that Lvova-Belova succeeded Kuznetsova as children's ombudsman, and they have long collaborated, maintaining friendly relations.