Russian Foreign Ministry: France violates freedom of speech and interferes in Romania's internal affairs

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova commented on Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov's statement about pressure from French foreign intelligence chief Nicolas Lerner to influence elections in Romania, reports Oxu.Az.

According to Zakharova, the disclosed information indicates France's interference in Romania's internal affairs.

Earlier, Pavel Durov reported on social network X that in spring 2025, Nicolas Lerner allegedly approached him with a request to restrict Romanian conservatives' activities on the messenger ahead of elections. According to Durov, he refused this request.

"This is not just an encroachment on freedom of speech and a violation of human rights. This is about interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and an attempt to influence a fundamental democratic process - elections," Zakharova stated in a comment to the publication "Izvestia".

Recall that following the elections in Romania held on May 18, independent candidate Nicușor Dan won with 53.60% of the votes. His main opponent, leader of the "Alliance for the Unification of Romanians" party George Simion, received 46.40%. Dan will lead the country for the next five years.