Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law prohibiting the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal. The bill, approved by both houses of Russia's parliament, aims to protect adopted children from potential dangers related to gender reassignment.
The adoption ban will impact at least 15 countries in Europe, as well as Australia, Argentina, and Canada. This move follows a previous ban on adoption by U.S. citizens in 2012.
In addition to the adoption ban, Putin also approved legislation that prohibits the spread of material encouraging people not to have children. Proponents of this law argue that discouraging childbearing is part of Western efforts to weaken Russia by promoting population decline.
Russia has been implementing a series of laws that uphold traditional values and suppress sexual minorities. Last year, the country banned gender-transition medical procedures and labeled the LGBTQ+ movement as extremist. Putin has been vocal about the importance of large families and has urged women to have multiple children.
Furthermore, the new legislation imposes fines of up to 5 million rubles for what is described as propaganda for remaining child-free. The government sees public arguments against having children as a threat to Russia's population growth.
Putin's administration has been cracking down on independent journalists, critics, activists, and opposition figures in recent years. The conflict in Ukraine has intensified government pressure on these groups, with hundreds being designated as 'foreign agents,' subjecting them to increased scrutiny and negative connotations.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has accused the West of exporting liberal ideologies to undermine Russia. The government's actions reflect a broader trend of promoting traditional values and restricting dissenting voices in the country.
