Russian President Vladimir Putin has sharply criticised European Union sanctions targeting children’s centres, calling them “nonsense” and a “disgrace” for those who imposed them, according to TASS.


He said that if EU officials, concerned with the protection of sexual minorities, are disturbed by the sight of happy Russian children, then Russia is doing everything correctly.


“I would also add that the sponsors of Ukraine, the European ruling elites, are coming up with things that probably no one could have imagined before — they are imposing sanctions against organisations where our children spend the summer and regain strength. It is nonsense, complete nonsense, but nevertheless it is being done. One can only guess what effect they expect,” Putin said.


“Our children’s centres are, meanwhile, gladly visited by children from all regions of the federation and from foreign countries. Many children come from abroad, spending time there in an interesting and vibrant way, with great benefit for their development. If European officials are concerned about gender issues and the protection of various sexual minorities (the LGBT movement is recognised as extremist and banned in Russia), and if they are irritated by the sight of happy, engaged, and patriotic children, then it means we are doing everything right and promoting the correct values,” he added.


The president emphasised that Russian authorities will continue to follow this course.


Putin’s remarks refer to EU sanctions recently imposed on key Russian youth organisations and camps.


On May 11, 2026, the EU sanctioned 16 individuals and seven entities, including prominent Russian children's centres such as Orlyonok, Scarlet Sails (Alyye Parusa), and Smena, for their role in the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children, where they underwent pro-Russian ideological indoctrination, patriotic education, and in some cases militarised training.


These measures form part of broader efforts to address Russia's systematic removal of nearly 20,500 Ukrainian minors since the full-scale invasion, aiming to erase their national identity through assimilation programs.


By Jeyhun Aghazada