Before any discussion about blocking the resource, Moscow signals a broader strategic aim: to develop its own centralized information platform that functions as a trusted, verifiable repository. This stance was reiterated by Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary to the President of the Russian Federation, as reported by TASS. The remarks came in response to recent calls from within Russia’s political and civil society circles about restricting access to Wikipedia and rethinking how factual information is curated for the public sphere. The underlying argument emphasizes the need for an alternative information infrastructure that can withstand cross-border pressures while maintaining rigorous standards for accuracy and accountability, something officials say is currently lacking on international platforms.
The Kremlin spokesperson referenced the position articulated by Valery Fadeev, who chairs the Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights. Fadeev had publicly proposed the closure of Wikipedia within Russia as part of a broader debate on information reliability and national sovereignty on April 4. The exchange underscored a shared concern among government and society actors about how to balance free access to knowledge with the imperative to prevent distortions that could influence public opinion and political processes. The discussion reflects a broader strategic orientation toward domestic digital sovereignty and resilience in the information space, especially in an era of rapid online dissemination and cross-border content diffusion.
Peskov’s remarks suggest that the conversation is unlikely to vanish anytime soon. He noted that the issue of creating a credible national analogue is not a transient reaction but a consistent theme that has appeared in various formats and forums at different levels of governance. The aim, according to him, is to ensure that a domestically managed information resource can provide content that is fact-checked, comprehensive, and transparent about its sources. This emphasis on verifiability and objectivity is presented as a necessary safeguard against what officials describe as widespread distortions that can accompany international platforms. The administration appears prepared to explore technical, editorial, and governance frameworks that could support such an endeavour, including independent verification mechanisms and clear accountability standards for content creators and editors.
The dialogue also touches on the broader role of international platforms in national information ecosystems. Officials point to the volatility of access to widely used services, noting that disruptions can have tangible impacts on public knowledge, education, and civic engagement. In this context, the push for a state-supported or state-sanctioned information portal is portrayed as a proactive measure to reduce reliance on external services that may not align with domestic information norms or security requirements. Supporters argue that a well-designed national portal could offer curated content that meets high standards of accuracy while also preserving space for legitimate debate and diverse viewpoints, all within a framework that guarantees clear attribution and editorial accountability.
In February of the current year, access to the Wikipedia site reportedly faced interruptions in several countries. This development has been cited in official discussions as a reminder of the vulnerability of global information networks to political and logistical constraints. The Russian leadership’s response reflects a policy preference for maintaining information continuity and reliability through domestically hosted resources, reducing exposure to external pressures and censorship concerns that may arise in other jurisdictions. The conversation is thus framed not merely as a reaction to a single incident but as part of a larger strategy to strengthen national digital infrastructure and to ensure that essential knowledge remains accessible under various circumstances.
Furthermore, Maksut Shadayev, who heads the Ministry of Digital Development, announced plans for the launch of an information portal within the year. This initiative is presented as a practical step in building an indigenous ecosystem for knowledge distribution, one that can be curated to meet national standards for accuracy and security. The proposal envisions integrating verification workflows, editorial oversight, and user-friendly access across devices and networks. While details remain to be clarified, the objective is clear: to provide Russians with a reliable, fact-checked resource that complements existing educational and cultural institutions while aligning with broader goals of digital sovereignty and public trust in information. The discussions reflect a broader trend in which governments seek to balance openness with safeguards against misinformation, leveraging local talent, institutions, and regulatory frameworks to shape the information landscape in a way that reinforces national resilience and informed citizenship.