Law & Legislation

Putin signs law on banning US adoptions of Russian kids

President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill barring U.S. citizens from adopting children from Russia, the law will come into effect on January 1, 2013.

13:56 28.12.2012

Bill easing control over mergers and acquisitions heads to Parliament

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed an executive order to submit a bill to the State Duma easing notification procedure for mergers and acquisitions.

12:10 27.12.2012

US ‘regrets’ Russian adoption ban bill headed to Putin

The United States said Wednesday that it regrets Russian lawmakers’ approval of a bill that would ban US adoptions of Russian children, saying the legislation would deny many young people a childhood outside state custody.

10:56 27.12.2012

Treaty with Italy on railway transit to Afghanistan submitted to State Duma

President Vladimir Putin has submitted for State Duma’s ratification an agreement between the Russian and Italian government on a railway transit of arms, ammo, military vehicles, munition and personnel through Russia to Afghanistan.

10:35 27.12.2012

Russia's upper house toughens illegal migration law

The upper house of Russia's parliament, the Federation Council, has adopted the law toughening punishment for organizing illegal migration.

17:23 26.12.2012

Russia’s upper house passes anti-US adoption bill

The upper house of Russia’s parliament, the Federation Council, unanimously passed the controversial bill which prohibits U.S. citizens from adopting children in Russia.

16:03 26.12.2012

Russia ratifies agreement on simplifying visa regime with Japan

Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, has ratified an agreement on simplifying the visa regime with Japan.

14:16 26.12.2012

Majority of Russians back US adoption ban - poll

Some 56 percent of Russians support a proposed ban on US adoptions of Russian children, an opinion poll conducted by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) said on Tuesday.

11:11 26.12.2012

The new Russian anti-tobacco bill

10:55 26.12.2012

Egypt passes new constitution

Over 60 percent of Egyptians who took part in the referendum on the country's new constitution have voted in favor of it, says Samir Abu al-Matti, head of the Supreme Election Committee.

10:13 26.12.2012

Top news

Russian courts allowed not to implement rulings of Europe's human rights court

Russia's Supreme Court proposed not to implement rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).

12:53 09.12.2025

Redomiciliation stalls: How sanctions are shaping new practices for Russian companies

The mechanism for redomiciliating foreign companies to Russian jurisdiction, in effect since 2018, has recently encountered serious obstacles. Taking into account the background of sanctions-related restrictions introduced in 2022 through 2025, it has become extremely difficult to achieve the goal. The situation gave rise to the phenomenon of dual domicile and led to a rise in the number of new litigations, both in Russia and abroad.

12:32 09.12.2025

Soldiers jailed for killing US journalist Russell Bentley

A military court in Donetsk sentenced three soldiers to up to 12 years in prison for torturing and killing Russell Bentley, a 63-year-old U.S. national who collaborated with Sputnik news agency.

14:05 08.12.2025