Vladimir Putin has referred to the widespread acceptance of gender fluidity in the West as "monstrous", the Daily Mail reports.
Speaking to the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi, Russia, the Kremlin leader said it is "close to a crime against humanity" for young children to learn about transgender issues.
The president of Russia went on to say: "It is terrible when children in the West are taught the idea that a boy can become a girl". He then said this would negatively impact the lives of future generations.
Putin has repeatedly sparked backlash for his stance on the LGBT community in Russia, where same-sex marriage is banned and homosexuality is frowned upon.
According to the paper, same-sex marriages in Russia were officially banned following alterations to the Russian constitution in the summer of 2020, which came into effect this year.
As per the Russian constitution, marriage can only occur between a man and a woman, and trans people are barred from adopting children.
He said: "(It is a) simply monstrous moment when children are pushed to believe from early on that a boy can easily become a girl, and vice versa. They are pushed to believe they have a choice, imposed while parents are swept aside. And a child is forced to make a decision that can break their life."
The president then bemoaned that "no one even consults child psychologists on whether a child of a certain age is able to make these kind of decisions."
He added: "Calling a spade a spade, this is close to a crime against humanity dressed up in the name and under the flag of progress."
According to Russian law, only straight couples can adopt children.
Russia was condemned by the international community after the passage of a law in 2013 banning "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" - a year after the country prohibited gay pride marches.
Putin has previously argued that he is not prejudiced against gay people, but that he finds that the West's tolerance of homosexuality and gender fluidity clashes with traditional Russian values.
