President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Moscow has been accused of “intimidation” by journalists after the Kremlin attempted to block Russians from viewing an interview given by them that “could tell the truth”. war in ukraine,
Moscow’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor issued a statement on Sunday warning Russian news shops Against the re-telecast or distribution of interviews between Zelensky and some of Russia’s leading independent journalists.
“Roskomnadzor has warned Russian media not to publish this interview,” the agency said in its statement. “Media outlets conducting interviews will be subject to scrutiny for the extent of responsibility and taking appropriate response.”
Journalists who interviewed Zelensky included Ivan Kolpakov of Meduza, a Latvian website, Vladimir Solovyov of the Moscow newspaper Kommersant, Tikhon Dzadko of the recently closed TV Rain channel, and lead writer Mikhail Zieger. Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry MuratovLast year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner took questions from Zelensky before the interview.
Roskomnadzor said in a statement on the social media app Telegram that some of the participating outlets have been formally labeled as “foreign agents” by the Russian government. On Monday, the Novaya Gazeta announced that it would Stop publishing online and in print Following the regulator’s warning.
During the interview, Zelensky harshly criticized Moscow, but at the same time discuss a potential deal to end the war. He said Ukraine was ready to accept neutral non-nuclear status.
Zelensky said on Sunday that Moscow was “horrified” by the truth.
,[They] Destroyed the freedom of expression in his state – [and are] They portray themselves as global players trying to destroy a neighboring kingdom. And they themselves are afraid of relatively short interactions with many journalists,” he said during a video address.
“Well, if there is such a reaction – then we are doing everything right. [It] It means they are nervous,” Zelensky said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN on Monday that Russia was not going to be afraid.
“We have laws, and it’s very important not to publish information that violates these laws,” Peskov said.
Moscow has cracked down on independent media in the weeks after President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine and several Russian journalists left their country. Access to foreign media such as the BBC has been restricted.
Russian lawmakers have also criminalized the spread of “fake” information that defames the Russian armed forces or calls for sanctions against the country.