Russian Children's Rights Official In Washington For Talks

Pavel Astakhov (file photo)

WASHINGTON -- Pavel Astakhov, Russia's children's rights ombudsman, has traveled to Washington to discuss international adoption issues.

He spoke on June 26 at a "Russian press only" event at the Russian Embassy.

Astakhov said the adoption ban imposed this year on U.S. couples was not subject to any appeal by the United States.

The ban was instituted in response to U.S. moves to blacklist alleged Russian rights abusers.

Astakhov said a database was being established to track the approximately 49,000 adopted Russian children in the United States.

U.S. and Russian officials held talks, but no details were released.

A U.S. State Department official told RFE/RL that Washington had "reiterated its deep disappointment with the Russian government's decision to ban the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens."

With reporting by ITAR-TASS