Those funny Russians — they just can’t resist a good propaganda opportunity (“prop op”?). And Pavel Durov has become too good an opportunity to pass up.

You may recall that Durov is the billionaire CEO of messaging app Telegram, and is presently under investigation by the French government for alleged criminal complicity for not preventing users of his platform from conducting illicit transactions, including drug trafficking, fraud, child sex abuse, and even terrorism.

Russia’s interest in Durov stems from the fact that he was born and raised in Russia, where he proved to be a computer whiz at an early age. He eventually developed the highly successful Russian version of Facebook, which he called VKontakte (“In Contact”), or VK. But when the Russian government began demanding that he give them access to some of his clients’ confidential information, he refused, and ended up leaving Russia for France.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Durov — having obtained French and UAE citizenship — then developed Telegram, widely used for messaging throughout the world — ironically including by the Russian government.

And now — having previously forced him to leave his native land — Russia has latched on to Durov’s latest troubles as a bit of manna from Heaven: a chance to turn things around and blame the whole mess on the West.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the subject in a recent speech to students at Moscow’s prestigious MGIMO (Moscow State Institute of International Relations), parroting the Kremlin position that the French investigation is part of “a larger political ploy by the West to exert power over Russia,” and saying:

“Pavel Durov was too free. He didn’t listen to Western advice on moderating his brainchild.” [Lucy Papachristou, Reuters, September 2, 2024.]

But wait a second: If “the West” advised Durov to “moderate” Telegram, and he simply didn’t listen, how then is it a conspiracy on our (the West’s) part against Russia?

Enter — yet again — the effervescent Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, ready as always to inject his own special brand of humor into a decidedly un-funny situation:

“The main thing is that what is happening in France does not turn into political persecution. We know that the president of France has denied any connection (of the case) with politics, but on the other hand, certain accusations are being made.” [Id.]

All right, then!

So, as I understand you, Dima . . . France is the bad guy, Durov is the fall guy, and Russia is the good guy for defending the guy they originally drove out of their country.

I can’t wait to see whose fault it will be tomorrow. I’ll have to check my political barometer.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/4/24