Russian Court Denies Return of Child to France
The Supreme Court of Russia ruled that a father does not need to return his daughter to her mother in France.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Divorce
In July 2026, Russia's Supreme Court ruled that a father who brought his daughter to Russia does not need to return her to France. The court cited the child's adjustment to life in Russia as a primary reason for the decision.
Why it matters
The ruling highlights how geopolitical tensions can influence cross-border custody disputes, with the court characterizing France as an unfriendly country. The decision marks a significant departure from previous rulings that had ordered the child's return.
The child was born in Kyiv and moved to France in 2022 before being taken to Russia in March 2025. The father successfully obtained Russian citizenship for his daughter during the legal proceedings.
The players
Alexey Yermakov
He is the father who brought his daughter to Russia and successfully challenged a court order to return her to France.
Veronika Tishkova
She is the child's mother and a Ukrainian national who moved to France in 2022.
The details
The father took the child to Russia after failing to return her from a vacation in Turkey and Slovakia in 2025. The court cited the Hague Convention, claiming that moving the child to France could cause harm due to her established life in Russia and France's status as a NATO and European Union member.
Timeline
The parents married in 2018 and divorced in 2021.
The father took his daughter to Russia in March 2025.
A Novosibirsk court ordered the child's return to France in July 2025.
Russia's Supreme Court ruled in the father's favor in July 2026.
Culture Shift
This case underscores a growing trend where national interests and international political tensions take precedence over established cross-border legal agreements. It reflects a broader shift toward protectionism in custody battles between countries with strained diplomatic ties.
This case serves as a warning for parents navigating international custody arrangements, as diplomatic relations can significantly affect legal outcomes. Individuals involved in cross-border disputes may face increased uncertainty regarding the enforcement of custody orders.
The takeaway
Custody outcomes in international cases are increasingly vulnerable to the state of diplomatic relations between countries. Parents should be aware that foreign courts may invoke geopolitical factors when determining the best interests of a child.
Further reading
Learn more about international custody battles in the Divorce section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Meduza.
