Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov called on cultural figures to “unite around the president” on the issue of the Russian special operation in Ukraine. In his opinion, those who do not support the conduct of this operation should not be “antagonized”, they “just need to be patiently explained.” He noted that the president may soon hold a meeting with them, but so far the authorities are focused on business.
“Yes, indeed, there are heated debates among representatives of culture. A lot of those who support the President sincerely support the President. There are those who completely misunderstand the essence of what is happening. But this does not mean that they should be antagonized, they just need to be patiently explained. And now, perhaps, is not the time to separate. Now is the time for us all to come together and be together. And unite, of course, around our president,” Peskov told reporters during a press call.
When asked if the president plans to meet with representatives of the cultural sector, as he had previously met with business, the Kremlin spokesman replied that they “will get their turn.” “Still agree that the economy now, in an aggressive environment, is very important,” he said.
The authorities call the purpose of the Russian special operation in Ukraine the “demilitarization” and “denification” of this country. Some cultural figures, representatives of the media and other professional communities spoke out against its holding. In the first days after the start of the operation, the websites of several publications were blocked, including Ekho Moskvy, The Village, Meduza, Dozhd (included in the register of media-foreign agents), and the BBC websites and the website ” Radio Liberty” (in the register of media-foreign agents).
Today, the State Duma passed a law in three readings at once, allowing citizens to be imprisoned for up to 15 years for spreading fakes. For “calls to prevent the use of Russian troops to protect the interests of Russia, maintain peace and security, or to discredit such use” you can get a fine of 100 thousand to 300 thousand rubles. or up to 3 years in prison.
About the new law – in the material “Kommersant” “The State Duma protects the defenders.”