Russia has tightened restrictions on what it calls "LGBT propaganda" in an apparent attempt to push out Western influences and promote traditional values.

President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a law expanding a ban on what authorities deem to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender propaganda.

The new law makes it illegal to promote non-heterosexual relationships, which Russia deems as non-traditional, in public, on the internet, or in books and other media.

Any violation will result in fines that are raised under the new law.

Regarding sexual orientation, Putin said in October that he doesn't care if elites in Western nations try to ingrain new trends into their people and societies, but they don't have a right to force others to come into alignment.

Independent Russian media say that under the new law, pressure on sexual minorities will increase.