In its report on the results of the March 18 Russian presidential election, the commission emphasized the need to start monitoring "events related to using the FIFA World Cup in summer 2018 for provocative anti-Russia purposes ... attempts to meddle in September's regional elections, especially the [mayoral] election in Moscow."

The Commission on the Protection of State Sovereignty and Prevention of Interference with Russian Internal Affairs was established in June 2017 after the United States, the United Kingdom and a number of other Western nations accused Russia of meddling with their domestic affairs.

It was formed with the intention of preparing proposals for how to improve Russian law to better protect the country from external interference, as well as monitoring activities of various organizations and foreign governments that aim to meddle in Russia's domestic politics.