According to a spokesperson for the Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, a congress was held in Moscow on 26 and 27 June, bringing together representatives from Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, among them MEP Fernand Kartheiser of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR).
While some participants travelled to Moscow for the congress, entitled The World Needs a Father, others, including Kartheiser, joined online.
Also taking part were Martina Kempf and Dr Rainer Rothfuss, two German MPs of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
In a statement, the congress was described as focusing on "strengthening the family as an institution, promoting the responsible role of fathers, protecting traditional spiritual and moral values, and defending religious freedom".
Kartheiser is also quoted in the statement as saying that these issues are of great importance in both East and West and reflect a shared Christian heritage. He said he had entered politics more than 20 years ago to support fathers, particularly in cases of divorce and loss of contact with their children.
"Children absolutely need their father. It is important that we ensure fathers, especially divorced fathers, can maintain contact with their children, and that laws guarantee that both parents are able to stay in touch", the MEP said.
Kartheiser also expressed regret that Europe remained divided by the war in Ukraine. He said greater emphasis should be placed on diplomacy in order to "end the armed conflict and save lives".
