Moscow-based media watchdog Roskomnadzor issued a statement on Sunday warning Russian news agencies not to broadcast or distribute the interview between Zelensky and some of Russia’s most prominent independent journalists. “Roskomnadzor warns the Russian media not to publish this interview,” the agency said in a statement. “The media conducting the interviews will be subject to scrutiny to determine the extent of the responsibility and the appropriate response to be received.” Journalists interviewed by Zelensky included Ivan Kolpakov of Meduza, a Latvian-based website, Vladimir Solovyov of the Moscow newspaper Kommersant, Tikhon Dzyadko of the recently closed TV Rain, and prominent writer Mikhail Zygar. Novaya Gazeta publisher Dmitry Muratov, who won last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, asked Zelensky questions before the interview. Some of the participating stores have been officially labeled “foreign agents” by the Russian government, Roskomnadzor said in a statement on the Telegram social networking application. On Monday, Novaya Gazeta announced that it would stop publishing electronically and in print after a warning from the regulator. During the interview, Zelensky harshly criticized Moscow, but also discussed a possible agreement to end the war. Ukraine is ready to accept a neutral non-nuclear regime, he said. Zelensky said on Sunday that Moscow was “scared” by the truth. “[They] destroyed freedom of speech in their state – [and are] trying to destroy the neighboring state. They present themselves as global players. “They themselves are afraid of a relatively short conversation with several journalists,” he said during a video speech. Well, if there is such a reaction – then we are doing everything right. [It] “It means they are nervous,” Zelensky added. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov told CNN on Monday that Russia was not afraid. “We have laws in force and it is very important not to publish information that would amount to a violation of these laws,” Peshkov added. Moscow has hit the independent media in the weeks since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine and many Russian journalists have fled the country. Access to foreign media such as the BBC has been restricted. Russian lawmakers have also criminalized the dissemination of “false” information that defames the Russian armed forces or calls for sanctions against the country.
