Russia may refuse to honor its commitments under an adoption agreement with France due to that country's legal recognition of gay marriage.
Russia's children's ombudsman, Pavel Astakhov, in comments carried by RIA Novosti, said "we have to do something" because adoption by gay couples "contradicts our internal law. … Here, according to family law, a marriage is between a man and a woman. Correspondingly, we can give away children only to a married man and woman. We will inevitably either have to submit our law to French law, or default on our treaty obligations"
Izvestia reported Tuesday that the State Duma was working on draft legislation to amend the current law and forbid the adoption of Russian children by same-sex couples abroad.
Legislation allowing same-sex marriage was signed by French President Francois Hollande on May 18. The first marriage ceremonies are due to be held on May 29.
The agreement with France regulating the adoption procedure between the two countries was ratified by the Duma last summer.
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