Eén-Twee-Drietje:
Nieuwsuur, Volkskrant, Ollongren.
Ze spelen een spel waar Rusland -terecht- niet van gediend is en wat in potentie heel gevaarlijk is en zowel de Russische, maar vooral ook de Nederlandse bevolking, NIET dient.
Duidelijk dat de Russische ambassade verzoekt om behoud van context van de uitspraken van de Ambassadeur. Gaat Nieuwsuur alsnog het interview duidelijker weergeven?
Zie de brief van de Russische Ambassade aan Nieuwsuur, die wij van Twitter plukten, en die helder is:
Mr. Guido van Ophoven,
Head of the foreign news desk
The Nieuwsuur
February 21, 2022
Dear Mr. van Ophoven,
Last week we have contacted the Nieuwsuur asking for its kind permission to publish the complete interview that Ambassador Shulgin gave to your program. We wanted to make sure that there would be no misinterpretations of Ambassador’s words in a moment when tensions in Europe are very high and all of us should be very careful when choosing to speak on the topic. As you are aware, there has been a wave of dubious or fake information regarding our country’s point of view or actions.
Unfortunately the Nieuwsuur has declined our request citing among other reasons possible “confusion and misunderstanding” without “careful journalistic interpretation and explanation”.
To our regret the exact thing that we’ve been trying to avoid has happened last Friday, February 18, when the Volkskrant has published an interview with Minister K.Ollongren. In that interview Mr. A.Browers, representing the Volkskrant, has offered the Minister to comment the following:
“The Russian Ambassador in the Hague when asked about Dutch arms support to Kiev told the Nieuwsuur, that Russia will defend itself with nuclear weapons if necessary”.
We would like to remind you the exact words of the Ambassador in that situation:
“At the time when tensions are visible one should act appropriately, in a responsible way, should refrain from every step likely to throw oil on flames”. And also: “It will be a very dangerous move increasing chances of a very dangerous escalation”.
Nuclear weapons were mentioned in a different context when discussing the possible conflict that may arise if Ukraine joins NATO. It was told specifically that if provoked, Russia – being a nuclear state – may use weapons to defend its sovereignty.
As you can see, the Ambassador Shulgin’s reply was completely misquoted.
We believe that the Nieuwsuur stands for unbiased and honest reporting as well as for journalistic integrity. For that reason the Embassy is once again asking you to publish the full version of the interview or to corroborate the true words of the Ambassador on the topic of Dutch arms support to Kiev.
Sincerely yours,
Embassy of the Russian Federation
in the Kingdom of the Netherlands