cultural and legal connection

Introduction. The current concept of “compatriot abroad” is supplemented by the condition of free choice in favor of spiritual, cultural and legal ties with the Russian Federation. The purpose of the work is to study this condition in the context of the designated concept. Theoretical analysis. The author has revealed that free choice is an action committed by a person, indicating the desire for the emergence of legal relations based on spiritual, cultural and legal ties with the state in order to be recognized as a compatriot abroad. Recognition of compatriots abroad is based on free choice as an act of self-identification, expressed in various types of activities of a person in Russia and abroad. Еmpirical analysis. The author identifies two key problems that arise in the process of recognition of a person as a compatriot abroad: the impossibility of fully realizing the legal status of a compatriot in foreign countries and the abuse of the possibility of obtaining this status in the Russian Federation. Results. The appearance of the construction of “free choice in favor of spiritual, cultural and legal ties with the Russian Federation” in the legislation on the legal status of compatriots abroad is evaluated positively. However, it requires an addition of a mandatory condition of proficiency in the Russian language.