Post date: Dec 27, 2012 3:33:36 PM
Russian President Vladimir Putin suggests he will sign into law a ban on U.S. adoptions of Russian children.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 27, 2012) (RU24) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (December 27) he saw no reason not to sign a bill into law that would ban Americans adopting Russian children and promised measures to improve care of his country's orphaned youngsters.
Although Putin said he would need to study the final text of the bill, the comments were the strongest indication yet that he will approve the adoption ban legislation, which has strained U.S.-Russia relations.Parliament gave its final approval on Wednesday (December 26) to the bill that would also bring in other measures in retaliation for new U.S. legislation designed to punish Russians accused of human rights violations.
"So far I see no reason not to sign it, although I have to review the final text and weigh everything," Putin said.
"You know, after all in the world there are probably a lot places where the quality of life is better than here, but so what? Are we going to send all the children there? Maybe we should move there ourselves. We need to support the proposal which is directed at doing everything in our own country in order to provide for a worthy future for all of our children," Putin added.
Critics of the bill say Russia is playing politics with the lives of children. Child rights advocates say children in Russia's crowded and troubled orphanage system will have less of a chance of finding homes if the bill becomes law.