Boris Eltsin, the Russian President, signed the law amending the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. In particular, the words "sixteen years" in the title and text of Article 134 ("Sexual intercourse and other actions of sexual nature with a person younger than sixteen years") will be replaced with the words "fourteen years" ("Rossiyskaya Gazeta" of June 27, 1998). This makes Russian legislation one of the most liberal and democratic in Europe in providing freedom of sexual contacts for its sexually mature citizens.