Latest news with #Dmitry Peskov
Russia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Kremlin explains media restrictions
Some press restrictions are appropriate during wartime, but recent changes in the Russian media environment cannot be reduced solely to military censorship, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Moscow has introduced legal limits on what can be published by the media. For instance, the intentional spread of false information about military operations has been criminalized. 'This is a time of military censorship – unprecedented in our country. The war is being fought in the informational space as well,' Peskov told Expert magazine in an interview published Friday. He added, 'It would be wrong to ignore outlets that intentionally seek to discredit Russia. That is why I believe such regulations are justified.' Several media organizations relocated their operations to Western countries in 2022, citing safety concerns for their staff. Peskov singled out the Latvia-based news site Meduza as an outlet that reports 'either bad things about Russia or nothing at all.' The Russian government labeled Meduza a foreign agent in 2021 due to its funding. 'Certainly, a time will come when a softer informational policy will be required, and many new neutral outlets will emerge, reporting both challenges and achievements,' Peskov said. He said that the Kremlin would not repeat previous 'mistakes' of allowing what it deems hostile media to operate unchecked. Peskov said the current trend in Russian media toward positive and 'patriotic' coverage is evident, attributing it in part to audience demand rather than government policies. He asserted that some outlets may have gone too far in that direction, referencing a Russian proverb to describe the situation: 'Teach a fool to pray to God, and he'll burst his forehead.' Western nations supporting Kiev have implemented their own restrictions on Russian outlets, claiming they are necessary to combat 'misinformation.' The European Union, for example, has banned RT and prohibited social media platforms from distributing its content. Moscow argues such actions demonstrate a lack of commitment to free speech and reflect a willingness to suppress narratives that challenge Western viewpoints.
Reuters
a day ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Kremlin says wartime censorship is justified
MOSCOW, July 11 (Reuters) - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that wartime censorship in Russia is justified amid the conflict with Ukraine and the closure of opposition-minded media. Russian authorities swiftly blocked Russian-language media outlets in February 2022 to quash dissenting voices as Russia invaded Ukraine, and they introduced laws threatening many years in prison for those "discrediting" the army. Speaking to a Russian magazine called Expert, Peskov said that many media outlets have been closed, while some reporters have emigrated from the country in the past three years. "But don't forget the situation we are in. Now is the time of military censorship, unprecedented for our country. After all, the war is going on in the information space too," Peskov is quoted as saying by the magazine. Russian authorities also blocked Twitter, now X, and Meta Platforms' (META.O), opens new tab Facebook and Instagram followed by YouTube, the most popular foreign video platform in the country at the time. "It would be wrong to turn a blind eye to the media that are deliberately engaged in discrediting Russia. Therefore, I believe that this regime (censorship) is justified now," Peskov told the magazine.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russia prefers peaceful solution to Ukraine conflict
Russia remains open to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday. He warned that conditions on the ground are rapidly evolving as Kiev hesitates to continue direct negotiations. Two rounds of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine have taken place this year in Istanbul – in mid-May and early June – but a third has yet to be scheduled. Peskov addressed the stalled diplomatic efforts during a routine press briefing. 'We should wait for some signals from the Kiev regime, who should say whether they want to hold a third round of direct talks or not,' Peskov said. 'We have repeatedly said that we would prefer achieving our goals through peaceful political-diplomatic means.' He added, 'As long as this outcome is impossible, the special military operation continues, and realities on the ground are changing every day.' His comments came as the United States reportedly resumed weapons deliveries to Ukraine following a brief pause. President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of 'throwing a lot of bullsh*t' at Washington – remarks the Kremlin characterized as rhetorical flourishes typical of the American leader. Trump maintains his interest in brokering a compromise to resolve the conflict. Initially Kiev agreed to resume direct talks with Moscow after the White House signaled support for renewed diplomacy. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tikhiy said in an interview this week that Kiev's consent to negotiations was partly driven by a desire to avoid being blamed by Western leaders for obstructing Trump's peace agenda. On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the ASEAN forum in Malaysia. The two officials spoke for nearly an hour, after which Rubio downplayed the earlier pause in US military aid and urged European nations backing Kiev to increase their support. 'One of the things that the Ukrainians need is more Patriot batteries,' Rubio said, referencing the US-made long-range air defense systems. 'There are Patriot batteries available in multiple countries in Europe, yet no one wants to part with them.' He argued that countries prioritizing Ukraine's defense should be willing to send Kiev equipment that is currently not being used.
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Kremlin says Ukraine peace process has not stalled
The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russia does not think peace talks on Ukraine have stalled and that it still wants to achieve its goals there through peaceful political and diplomatic means. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was waiting for Kyiv to give a signal about whether it is ready to start the third round of talks, which first kicked off in May in Istanbul.
