(MENAFN) The liberal Italian publication Corriere della Sera has opted not to release an interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, citing what it described as “controversial claims” in his statements.

The editors declined to publish either a shortened version of the interview or the full transcript online, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on Wednesday, labeling the situation as “outrageous censorship.”

According to the ministry, the outlet was offered an exclusive discussion with Lavrov after noting “a growing amount of misinformation about Russia in Italian media.”

Initially, the newspaper’s editorial team “enthusiastically agreed” to the interview and submitted a set of questions.

Lavrov responded promptly and comprehensively, providing detailed answers, and the material was ready for publication. Despite this, the newspaper ultimately refused to print the interview.

“They ‘explained’ to us that Lavrov’s words ‘contain many controversial assertions that require fact-checking or additional clarification, the publication of which would lead to exceeding reasonable volumes,’” the ministry stated.

From the newspaper’s perspective, the Russian Foreign Ministry had provided a “lengthy text full of... propagandistic claims” in response to its inquiries. When the publication requested a “proper interview” that included “cross-examination” to “challenge points,” the Russian side “categorically refused.”

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