He noted that Russia's laws did not ban LGBT relationships as a whole, and did not go as far as those in other countries, such as India—which had recently reinstated a ban on same-sex sexual activity, and Nigeria, which criminalized same-sex marriage with sentences of up to 14 years' imprisonment, and membership in pro-gay groups with up to 10 years' imprisonment.
Ia menyatakan bahwa hukum Rusia tak melarang hubungan LGBT secara keseluruhan, dan tak sejauh hal-hal di negara lainnya, seperti India—yang sekarang menghimpun ulang larangan kegiatan seksual sesama jenis, dan Nigeria, yang mengkriminalisasi perkawinan sesama jenis yang dihukum sampai 14 tahun penjara, dan keanggotaan dalam kelompok-kelompok pro-gay dengan 10 tahun penjara.