A bill presented to the State Duma proposes prohibiting the adoption and custody of Russian orphans by citizens of what are labeled as “hostile” nations. The draft also aims to cover children who are left without parental care.
The legislators behind the proposal include Leonid Slutsky, chair of the international affairs committee and leader of the LDPR faction, along with deputy Boris Chernyshov and Nina Ostanina, head of the family, women and children committee. Also named are Dmitry Pevtsov, another LDPR deputy, with a proxy from the New People and Just Russia–For party, and Yana Lantratova as a key sponsor.
Why a new law is considered necessary
The sponsors argue that allowing Russian orphans to be adopted by citizens of states deemed unfriendly does not align with Russia’s national interests. They point to President Vladimir Putin’s emphasis on preserving traditional Russian spiritual and moral values as guiding priorities.
The explanatory note suggests that transferring children to be raised abroad could undermine the nation’s future. It also accuses the broader Western sphere of eroding longstanding family foundations and moral norms, creating a tension between traditional values and perceived external influences.
Supporters note that the earlier Dima Yakovlev law, which restricted adoptions by American citizens, was viewed as a correct move. They contend that most foreign adoptions involved Russian families, while opponents’ claims that foreign adopters primarily rescue or adopt disabled children are not supported by specific statistics.
Room for foreign adoption under conditions
The bill’s authors stress that the proposed measure does not ban foreign adoptions outright nor sever all cooperation with other states in areas related to children already adopted.
It is stated that the law would not enumerate particular countries to be barred; instead, it would reference a government-approved list of “non-hostile” states. The explanatory note adds that if a nation ceases unfriendly actions, the adoption ban could be lifted without modifying the Family Code.
In early March 2022, the government approved a list of “non-enemy” countries encompassing 49 states, including all European Union members, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Ukraine, and others.
Controlling outcomes and safeguarding youth
One of the initiative’s co-authors explained to a media outlet that the bill is needed to supervise the fate of orphans cared for by foreign families.
They argued that in Russia, guardianship authorities monitor adopted or fostered children to ensure their safety and well-being, warning that once a child crosses borders, oversight becomes more limited. The concern is that some children could face abuse or exploitation abroad, even though there are positive outcomes as well.
The point made is that once a child leaves Russia, there is diminished ability to influence their circumstances, and this risk is deemed unacceptable when it concerns the country’s youth.
According to the sponsor, the ban on adoptions by citizens of non-hostile states is partly motivated by sanctions that could hamper guardianship oversight, suggesting a need to protect the welfare of Russian children during international arrangements.
“Our children should be raised in Russia”
A deputy who co-authored the initiative described the measure as a way to shield the state from external threats. He argued that raising orphans within Russia aligns with broader national goals and demographic resilience, especially in the context of a demographic imbalance.
The deputy noted that foreign adoptions have been declining and that nearly half a million orphans are raised domestically. He urged increased support for adoptive families, especially those caring for children with disabilities, and called for rigorous government research to guide policy decisions.
Dima Yakovlev law: a brief overview
The law, effective from January 1, 2013, restricted the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens. In 2017, the European Court of Human Rights deemed the measure discriminatory. As a result, a number of U.S. adopters pursued legal action against Russian authorities, arguing the policy prevented them from adopting. By early 2021, estimates indicated that roughly 17,500 orphans remained in the care of foreign families.