Putin defends ban on Americans adopting Russian children
Russian President Vladimir Putin has defended a ban on Americans adopting Russian children, which has been proposed by the Russian parliament, the BBC reported.
He said the bill, a response to the US Magnitsky Act which bars entry to Russian alleged human rights violators, was "appropriate".
Russian officials, he said, were not allowed to sit in on US cases involving the mistreatment of Russian children.
He says the measure, which received overwhelming preliminary approval in parliament, is also a response to an alleged U.S. failure to protect the rights of adopted Russian children, the Fox News said.
Speaking at his annual marathon news conference Thursday, Putin said while most Americans who adopt Russian children are "kind and honorable," the protection for abuse victims is insufficient.
The bill faces a few more steps before it can reach Putin.
"I will make a decision depending on what is written there," he said.
In a marathon news conference, Mr Putin also restated his views on Syria, BBC adds.
He also spoke about relations with fellow ex-Soviet states Ukraine and Georgia and sought to dispel speculation about his health.