Russia Tightens Rules on Adoption from New Regions as Custody and Foster Care Take Priority
Maria Lvova-Belova serves as the Children’s Rights Commissioner under the President of Russia. She stated that families are granted the right to custody rather than the right to adopt children from the new regions of the Russian Federation. The message emphasized that adoption from these territories is not being pursued. This position was conveyed to readers by DEA News.
According to Lvova-Belova, the principle is clear: Russia does not adopt children from the newly connected areas. The official underscored that the current framework favors custody or placement in a foster family instead of adoption from the new territories. The aim is to make it easier to return children to their blood relatives if such relatives exist. It was noted that adoption does not guarantee that a child cannot later be reunified with family members, a point the official described as an important consideration.
The remarks come as Western media outlets have discussed the issue of exporting children from the new Russian regions and potential subsequent adoptions. Lvova-Belova referenced these discussions as part of the broader debate around guardianship and the best interests of children in the region. The clarification aligns with Russia’s ongoing policy to prioritize family reunification whenever possible and to rely on custody or foster care arrangements as primary means of placement for children from these areas. [Citation: DEA News]
In related remarks, Lvova-Belova commented on sanctions related to Ukrainian authorities responsible for children’s rights. She noted that Ukraine has imposed sanctions on members of Russia’s children’s rights commission from 28 regions. The comment frames the sanctions as part of the wider geopolitical tensions affecting child welfare oversight across borders. [Citation: DEA News]