Kremlin calls harassment of Russian journalists in Europe a clear line

A clear and pronounced line on the oppression of Russian journalists is visible in Europe, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on November 27.

"We see in European countries a clear, distinct line on the oppression of Russian journalists," he said in an interview with Channel One, commenting on the situation with the closure of the TV channel's bureau in Germany.

According to Peskov, the fact that Russian journalists in Europe are prevented from working, depriving them of the opportunity to extend their accreditation, is an example of "freedom of speech in the European way."

He expressed regret that media employees have to face such a reality abroad. The Kremlin spokesman promised that Moscow would consider the best response to such actions.

Earlier in the day, Channel One reported that the German authorities had decided to close its German bureau and its employees were ordered to leave the country. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that two journalists from the German media group ARD would be expelled as a mirror measure. After that, the German Foreign Ministry said that no decision to ban the Russian media had been taken.