The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, signed legislation this banning non-nationals from engaging in the commercial surrogacy market in the country. This follows the Russian parliament voting in favour of a ban earlier this month.
Russia had been one of only three countries in Europe, along with Belarus and Ukraine, that allowed international commercial surrogacy. Georgia, another former Soviet state, is also used as a destination by some Europeans.
It follows the example of other countries around the world, such as Thailand and India, who also banned international surrogacy arrangements. This year, India banned commercial surrogacy entirely.
The move by Russia means that Irish couples will have fewer options to find women abroad willing to engage with them on paid-for surrogacy contracts. While pending legislation would ban commercial surrogacy in Ireland, it would enable to use of the international commercial market.
