Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said it was important to encourage Russians to adopt children and reduce the need for foreigners in the adoption of the country's children.
“In regard to improving conditions in orphanages and solve other social issues concerning children without parental care—I mean first of all providing them with housing—conditions need to be made for reducing the number of foreigners who adopt Russian children, to reduce it to zero in the near future, and encourage Russians to adopt children,” Putin said during a televised Q&A session with the nation.
The prime minister added that he was not in favor of foreigners adopting Russian children.
“But in our country there are many people who believe and say that the conditions in our orphanages and other social institutions are not favorable for children, and they would be happier if they were in a favorable environment provided by foreigners who want to have children,” Putin said.
According to the prime minister, the number of Russian families adopting children has increased, and last year 72,000 children were adopted by Russian families.
“This is a positive trend that we will support,” Putin added.
He also noted that at the same time, it is important to improve conditions in Russian orphanages.
