Putin promises appropriate, tit-for-tat response to restrictions on Russian media in U.S
DA NANG. Nov 11 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has described restrictions imposed on the Russian media, RT and Sputnik, in the United States as an attack on freedom of speech and promised that Moscow's response would be appropriate and tit-for-tat.
"The attack on our media in the U.S. is undoubtedly an attack on freedom of speech," Putin said at a press conference in Da Nang on Saturday.
"We are disappointed, as they say in this case. But certainly, there is no other way to do it and what is being currently discussed at the State Duma, I saw it yesterday, it may seem too harsh, but it's natural. Representative bodies often make extreme evaluations, strong views, and stringent proposals. But we necessarily have to provide a response and it will be a tit-for-tat one," the Russian president said.
"Media provide information, interpret it, and voice their opinions, one can argue with them, but through presenting one's own opinions rather than by means of closing them or creating conditions that make engaging in their professional activities impossible," he said.
"But no, [they] choose to virtually close them. The response will be appropriate and tit-for-tat," Putin said.