Ban Interview With President Zelensky, Russian Federal Authorities Investigate Media

President Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. (Twitter/@ZelenskyyUa)

JAKARTA - Russia's communications watchdog reminded all media in the country on Sunday to refrain from reporting on interviews conducted with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On the same occasion, the Federal Service for the Protection of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) revealed that it had started an investigation into outlets that had interviewed the Ukrainian leader.

In a brief statement distributed by the watchdog on social media and posted on its website, it said a number of Russian outlets had conducted interviews with President Zelensky.

"Roskomnadzor warns the Russian media about the need to refrain from publishing this interview," the Russian federal agency said.

There is no information from the agency regarding the reasons for the ban. Meanwhile, Russian prosecutors said a legal opinion would be made on the statements made in the interview and the legality of publishing the interview.

It is known, President Zelensky spoke with several Russian publications. Most recently, he did so yesterday in relation to his readiness to discuss Donbass.

Ukraine is willing to be neutral and compromise on the status of the eastern Donbass region as part of a peace deal, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday President Zelensky delivered his message directly to Russian journalists in a video call, saying that any deal must be guaranteed by a third party and entered into. referendum.

"Security guarantees and neutrality, non-nuclear status of our country. We are ready to do it," he said, speaking in Russian.

At the same time, President Zelensky said Ukraine refused to discuss certain other Russian demands, such as the demilitarization of the country.

Speaking more than a month after Russia invaded Ukraine, President Zelensky said there could be no peace deal without a ceasefire and troop withdrawal.

He ruled out attempts to retake all Russian-held territory by force, saying it would lead to a third world war. and said he wanted to reach a "compromise" over the eastern Donbass region, which has been held by Russian-backed forces since 2014.

To note, the invasion which has lasted more than a month destroyed several Ukrainian cities, caused a major humanitarian crisis and displaced about 10 million people, almost a quarter of Ukraine's population.

The United Nations has confirmed 1,119 civilian deaths and 1,790 injuries across Ukraine but says the real number is likely to be higher. Ukraine said on Sunday 139 children had been killed and more than 205 injured so far in the conflict.