Zelenskyy's communications adviser Lytvyn denies pressure on Ukrainska Pravda

Dmytro Lytvyn, the Ukrainian President’s Communications Adviser, has claimed that he does not interfere with Ukrainska Pravda's activities and is unaware of any pressure on other media outlets.

Source: Lytvyn in an interview with Liga.net

Details: Lytvyn said he did not pressure the media because previous Ukrainska Pravda events which were held before his appointment as an adviser had included speakers from the government, and some sponsors were state-owned companies. Lytvyn said he could have "prevented this," though he did not explain what kind of authority he had in this regard.

Quote: "There were representatives of ministries and the National Bank [at UP events – ed.]. I also saw that there were advertisers – state-owned companies. If I had been interested in preventing this, wouldn't I have done something to prevent it? But they were [present] at the events, indeed... This is an obvious fact. And if they want to say that I'm somehow restricting them..."

Details: Lytvyn does not consider it necessary to seek explanations for the restrictions on Ukrainska Pravda's work because he says it is impossible to effectively refute them, and no one will believe him if he says he does not call anyone and does not prohibit contact with journalists. 

"And if they have, say, my message to some mayors or some advertisers, where I forbid something, then let them just show it," he said.

At the same time, Lytvyn claimed that in the almost three years of his work in the Office of the President, Ukrainska Pravda has not asked him for a comment. However, it is worth mentioning that he has held a responsible position there only since September 2024.

Ukrainska Pravda sent a request to the Office about the situation with the press conference and an altercation with journalist Roman Kravets, but it was simply ignored.

Regarding other statements about the Office’s pressure on NGOs, in particular from former Deputy Foreign Minister Lana Zerkal, Lytvyn said he had heard something about it, but had not had any contact with Zerkal's activities.

Background:

• On 9 October, Ukrainska Pravda reported on systematic pressure from the Presidential Office. In particular, the pressure concerns blocking government speakers from communicating with Ukrainska Pravda journalists and participating in events and pressure on businesses to stop advertising cooperation with Ukrainska Pravda.
• Ukrainska Pravda stated that Lytvyn bans security forces and officials from communicating with Ukrainska Pravda journalists.
• In early September 2024, Zelenskyy appointed Lytvyn as an official communications adviser.

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