On Thursday, 28 July 2011, the Russian Federation deposited its instrument of accession to the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The Convention will enter into force for the Russian Federation on 1 October 2011.

The treaty will not be in force between Russia and The United States until the United States has accepted Russia's accession.

As is the case with many countries, including the USA, Russia has made a reservation with respect to Article 26, stating that "The Russian Federation in accordance with Article 42 of the Convention shall not consider itself bound by the obligation to assume costs, as provided for in the second paragraph of Article 26 of the Convention, resulting from the participation of the legal counsel or advisers or from court proceedings, except for those costs that may be covered by its system of legal aid and advice."