German media 'not just biased, also receives salary from gov't': Russian Foreign Ministry

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - A report by the German government to the parliament, showing that the country's media are not "just biased, but receive a salary from the government," confirms what Russia "was aware of" long ago, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Thursday.

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Maria Zakharova told Anadolu that the German authorities "have done this (interfered in the work of the media) historically and are doing it now."

"We learned nothing new, we've been saying all the time that the German media ... are biased, paid for by German political forces, prone to propaganda and self-censorship.

"Now the German media themselves published relevant materials provided officially by the German side, from which it follows that the German government, contrary to the (previous) statements not only interfere, but pays and moderates the content," she said.

Zakharova said the affiliation of the German media with the government will not affect their work in Russia, but if Berlin mistreats Russian journalists, Moscow will reciprocate.

"We are always glad to see all journalists, those who come here to work as such and comply with Russian legislation.

"But if there are attacks on Russian media in the relevant countries, if the relevant governments do not take actions to protect journalists, including Russian ones, moreover, participates in campaigns against journalists and the media, we will take retaliatory measures," she stressed.

Zakharova said Russia is open to "constructive settlement" of conflicts, but if its voice is not heard, then "it learned to take mirror measures."

About a possibility of direct talks between Russia and the West about the settlement in Ukraine, Zakharova said that at the moment, the Western countries "completely block" all calls for peace "in favor of increasing aggression and escalation of the conflict."

- Zakharova suggests London to experiment with uranium-laced weapons on UK territory

Commenting on remarks by British authorities, claiming shells, containing depleted uranium are “ordinary” weapons, that London plans to send to Ukraine, Zakharova urged them to use it on UK territory.

“For the start, London could train on its island, to see what is this ‘standard weapon’ that ‘they have always used.’ ... Try it, feel the full range of deadly consequences, and then push to others," she stressed.

She noted that radioactive consequences from the use of depleted uranium ammunition on the territory of Ukraine will be impossible to control.

“If this threat or an intention, I don't know how they qualify it, it will be implemented, and if they are used, as, for example, in Serbia, both water and soil will be contaminated. In turn, (water and soil) will poison those who will live there for decades,” she emphasized.

The spokeswoman slammed as “a new stage of a religious war” the eviction of the monks for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Ukraine’s capital.

She also condemned a video, allegedly showing a Ukrainian soldier, burning a Holy Quran, saying Kyiv “continues to deliberately condone practices that grossly violate the rights of believers, offend their feelings and cause them deep mental suffering.”

“We strongly condemn this and other acts of sacrilege on the part of the (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy regime and its wards, regardless of which religion or denomination they are directed against.

“We demand from the relevant international structures to seek from Kyiv strict compliance with the international obligations assumed to ensure the rights of believers in the country,” Zakharova said.

Asked about Moscow's response in case Moldova joins anti-Russian sanctions, Zakharova said it will “be forced” to take "relevant" measures.

She also voiced concern over the increase in “hostile rhetoric and number of incidents” in Karabakh, the “unwillingness” of the parties to find compromises to resolve the situation around the Lachin corridor.

“Russia calls on the parties to be restrained in their statements and actions, to resume negotiations on all tracks of the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization, including unblocking transport communications, delineating the border, preparing a peaceful corridor, holding meetings of public figures, parliamentarians,” she said.

The spokeswoman added that Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia are considering a trilateral meeting.

Moscow attaches “great importance” to the Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran format, she noted, praising the format as an “effective platform for interaction with an emphasis on the practical implementation of joint projects in the field of economy, transport, and energy.”