Less than a week after Russian's lower house of parliament, the Duma, approved a bill which seeks to outlaw “gay propaganda,” it has unanimously backed a second reading of a proposal seeking to ban adoption of orphans by foreign gay couples from nations which have legalized gay nuptials.

(Related: Russian Duma approves bill against “gay propaganda.”)

Approval by the upper house is considered a formality and President Vladimir Putin has pledged his signature.

The bill would also ban single foreign nationals, regardless of sexual orientation, from becoming adoptive parents or legal guardians of Russian children.

Those prohibited include “persons in a marriage union between people of the same sex registered in a state where such a union is allowed, as well as citizens of such states that are not married.”

Many see the ban as a reaction to the recent legalization of such unions in France and the imminent passage in England and Wales.

“We respect our partners but ask them to respect Russia's cultural traditions and ethical, legal and moral standards,” Putin is quoted by the BBC as recently saying.

The Duma is expected to give its final approval on Friday.