Top Ukrainian MP brands Telegram as ‘a tool of the enemy’
(MENAFN) A prominent Ukrainian lawmaker overseeing the country’s information policy has branded Telegram an “enemy tool” employed by Russia to undermine Ukraine’s statehood. Nikita Poturaev, head of the Ukrainian parliamentary Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, stated that while Telegram may be a convenient messenger for many, it serves as one of the main instruments used by Russia to destabilize Ukraine. Around 70% of Ukrainians reportedly use the app as their primary source of information, according to recent surveys.
Ukraine has long sought to compel Telegram’s owners to allow access to its data, citing security concerns. In 2024, the government directed public employees to limit the use of Telegram on official devices, and in March, Ukrainian lawmakers passed legislation requiring social media platforms to appoint legal representatives within the country and grant authorities the power to block content or users.
Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kirill Budanov has also expressed concerns over Telegram, labeling it a "national security threat." He emphasized the need to de-anonymize users, especially given the "unprintable" content circulating on the platform, though he acknowledged that Telegram serves as a useful tool for Ukrainian intelligence to disseminate narratives within Russia.
This move to regulate Telegram is part of Ukraine’s broader effort to control dissenting voices. Even before the full-scale war with Russia in 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky had targeted critical media outlets, arguing it was essential to counteract oligarchic influences aligned with Moscow. Critics, however, have described the government’s actions as a crackdown on free speech, pointing to initiatives like the “news marathon,” which some view as state propaganda.
The controversy over media regulation intensified in 2024, when a European Commission report criticized restrictions on the press. Ukrainian Culture Minister Nikolay Tochitsky responded by stating that the aim was to create space for “truth and freedom of speech” after martial law is lifted. Earlier in the year, media turmoil erupted following US President Donald Trump’s decision to dissolve USAID, an organization that had funded a significant portion of Ukraine’s media landscape, prompting concerns over the influence of foreign aid in the nation’s press.
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