Statement by Pavel Durov on the Ukraine-Russia War

The war between Ukraine and Russia has been the world’s number one news agenda in position. Because there is a new development almost every minute, on the one hand, violent clashes and on the other hand, very harsh sanctions and explanations. we are witnessing. However, there was a name that did not come to the fore in this process. This name became famous after the terms of use that WhatsApp wanted to apply last year. Telegram Russian-born founder of instant messaging application Pavel Durovwas Breaking his silence, Durov detonated the bomb.

Although Pavel Durov is of Russian descent left the country years ago. Moreover, he is not on good terms with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Making some statements on the subject via Telegram, Durov explained why the war between the two countries is very important for both him and Telegram, He also touched on past events.. Pavel Durov, the founder of VK, known as Russia’s Facebook, also explained what happened in the past, Russia exposed.

Here is the message Pavel Durov posted on Telegram

“If you’ve been following my posts, you know that I was sent by my mother from Kiev. I’m tracking my family. Her maiden name is Ukrainian (Ivanenko) and we have many relatives still living in Ukraine. This is why this tragic conflict is personal to both me and Telegram.

Some people, wondering if Telegram is any less secure for ukrainians since i once lived in russia. Let me tell these people how my career in Russia ended.

9 years ago I was the CEO of VK, the largest social network in Russia and Ukraine. in 2013, Russian security agency FSB asked me to give them private data of Ukrainian VK (VKontakte) users protesting a pro-Russian President (Vladimir Putin). I refused to meet these demands because it would mean betraying our Ukrainian users. Later I was fired from the company I founded (VK) and I had to leave Russia. When I read my April 2014 VK letter showing the request letter from the FSB and my commercial response I’m smiling proudly. I lost my company and my home but I would do the same thing again today without hesitation..

In refusing these requests, the risk was high for me personally. Still I was living in Russia and my team and my old company were also in that country. Many years have passed since then. Many things have changed: I no longer live in Russia, I no longer have any company or employees there. But one thing remains the same – I support our users no matter what. Privacy rights are sacred. Now more than ever.”