Kremlin does not view YouTube slowing in Russia as priority

MOSCOW. Nov 15 (Interfax) - The YouTube slowing in Russia is not a priority, yet President Vladimir Putin has said he will look into the issue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"Yes, the issue has been mentioned and, indeed, the president has said he will look into it, although part of this issue is related exclusively to the stance of the service owner," Peskov told journalists on Friday.

"You now that the service owner's stance aims to avoid compliance with respective Russian laws. While not complying with laws, the company does not replace, does not update the necessary equipment. Largely, these are the problems. The reason is that the company does not want to comply with Russian laws, although it must do so," Peskov said.

"As to other aspects, the president has actually said he will look into them," Peskov said.

"As far as I know, as far as we know, the YouTube issue is actually not on the list of current priorities of the public agenda. So, I would not agree to putting the question this way: when YouTube will be returned to Russians. This is not the most important thing today," he said.

Peskov directed a question on whether YouTube slowing might stop to the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor). "It is not that YouTube is turned on and turned off, slowed or not slowed. You should ask questions related to the technology and technique of this slowing or not slowing to Roskomnadzor. They should provide such information," he said.