Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the current measures to support childbirth and increase the birth rate in Russia are insufficient. During an interaction with a worker, Putin emphasized that delaying having children is a mistake and assured that the government would provide assistance once the child is born. The government is considering new approaches to support families, including developing a rating system for employers based on how they support families, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova. However, Golikova also noted that setting a fixed salary or payment for childbirth would be ideologically inappropriate. Meanwhile, Vyacheslav Volodin, Speaker of the State Duma, opposed the idea of addressing demographic challenges by imposing a tax on childlessness, advocating instead for fostering love and respect in relationships. The pronatalist policies have drawn some criticism, with observers warning that making childbirth a political project could impinge on personal freedoms.