“Moving towards each other”: Russia supported teleconference with Ukraine

On the TV channel "Russia 1" aired the program "I have to talk." The broadcaster itself called the program "non-political" teleconference with Ukraine.

The broadcast lasted two hours. During the program, the guests discussed the historical ties between the peoples of Russia and Ukraine, recalled famous cultural works in both countries, and also discussed the difficulties faced by Russian-Ukrainian families.

The presenters were Andrei Malakhov and Maria Sittel. In the broadcast of the program appeared figures of sports, science, as well as representatives of show business, including Vladimir Menshov, Rustam Sagdullaev, Valentina Talyzina, Vladimir Konkin, Kai Metov and Lev Leschenko.

Note that all inclusions from Ukraine on the air were broadcast in the mode of video calls.

Member of the Committee on International Affairs of the Federation Council, Oleg Morozov, in an interview with RT, expressed the opinion that in relations between Russia and Ukraine everything is so painful and aggravated that any dialogue that can be realized becomes a positive sign.

“Once you need to start talking. We cannot talk about conflict zones - let's talk about our common historical roots, great writers and poets, about our common culture, about those things that worry us and that do not yet divide us, but unite, ”said Morozov.

According to him, today in Ukraine, any public call for dialogue with Moscow is capable of provoking a sharp protest and opposition from the radical population, including in the structures of power.

“Therefore, it is neat here, step by step, slowly we must move towards each other,” summed up the senator.

A member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Anton Morozov, expressed the hope that some day Kiev would abandon the aggressive rhetoric addressed to Russia, which would be the starting point.

“And we will be able to establish normal relations not only at the level of cultural figures, but also at the intergovernmental level,” the RIA Novosti quotes as saying.

The parliamentarian added that the Russians and Ukrainians are one people. According to him, the artificial separation between countries created by the “Western partners” is unnatural for the states.

“It is comfortable and absolutely normal for us to live in peace and harmony. And to carry out contacts at all levels, ”said Morozov.

Such projects can help two countries overcome contradictions, Bogdan Bezpalko, a member of the Council for Interethnic Relations under the President of Russia, said.

“Such projects can help the two countries to establish a dialogue and improve relations. Moreover, those Ukrainian citizens who visited Russia frankly admitted that the picture of the Ukrainian media was completely inconsistent with reality, ”he said in a conversation with RT.

According to him, many Ukrainians have arrived in Russia forever and are striving to ensure that relations between the two countries are good.

Criminal cases for teleconference

Recall, the TV link between Russia and Ukraine was to be held with the participation of the NEWSONE TV channel. However, after the channels announced this initiative, Ukrainian nationalists staged a protest outside the building of the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting. Then, the Prosecutor General’s Office instituted two criminal cases against NEWSONE - on articles on treason and terrorist financing. This was reported by Lutsenko. As a result, the channel was forced to mark the broadcast, explaining that the journalists began to receive threats.

Employees NEWSONE wrote a collective statement in which Kiev was accused of pressure on independent media.

“The authorities regularly pressured the uncontrolled media with checks and threats of prohibition. Employees of the NEWSONE channel are trying to intimidate with the same methods now. Especially hardened independent media harassment on the eve of elections. While political leaders are public relations and are fighting for votes, the authorities, called upon to protect journalistic rights, play up to them, ”the television channel website says.

NEWSONE also turned to international organizations due to pressure from the Ukrainian authorities.

“Feeling their impunity and taking advantage of the“ protection ”by the so-called law enforcement agencies, the right-wing radicals are becoming bolder, and their actions against independent media and journalists are becoming more aggressive,” the staff said.

On July 10, the delegation of the Opposition Platform - For Life party arrived in Russia for a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, which included its head Yuriy Boyko, political council chairman Viktor Medvedchuk and the owner of NEWSONE deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Taras Kozak. Commenting on the teleconference, Medvedev expressed regret that the broadcast would not take place.

“I would say that this is paranoia, this is paranoid behavior and this is all the legal curwling that has unfolded around this,” he said.

Medvedev recalled that teleconferences were even organized between the USSR and the USA during the Cold War.

In turn, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko promised responsibility both for the teleconference and for the intention of the channel "Ukraine 112" to show the film "The Untold History of Ukraine" directed by Oliver Stone.

“I declare bluntly: for any attempts, past (teleconference) and future - the demonstration of the Russian propaganda film that is advertised on Medvedchuk’s channel will be responsible,” he wrote on Facebook.

Such initiatives are being launched due to the fact that these projects go beyond the censorship of Kiev, Bezpalko said.

“It is obvious that in Kiev there is a most severe censorship and ideology, beyond which it is impossible to leave. It is clear that the teleconference and the more so the film by Oliver Stone go beyond these limits and contradict them. It can be seen that Zelensky is powerless against this framework so far, ”he told RT.

Recall, the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, also spoke against teleconference.

“During the war, any people who do not have a pro-Ukrainian vision cannot monopolize the Ukrainian channel. We have to deal with this, ”he said.

Bezpal'ko suggested that Zelensky took such a position as to please all potential voters before the elections to the Rada, which will be held on July 21.

“It is hoped that before the parliamentary elections, he is simply trying to please all ideological trends, including those that are in line with the ideas of Ukrainian nationalism. I think that we need to wait some more steps from the Ukrainian authorities after the elections to the Verkhovna Rada, for example, the change of the Prosecutor General, part of the political class, ”the expert added.