(MENAFN) The Kremlin has officially stated that there are no intentions to restrict access to YouTube, amid rising concerns about potential bans following reports of service slowdowns in Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed these rumors on Friday, emphasizing that the government has no plans to block the popular video-sharing platform.

Earlier that day, Rostelecom, Russia’s largest internet provider, warned users that they might soon experience significant slowdowns on YouTube due to ongoing technical problems linked to the servers operated by its parent company, Google. Rostelecom pointed out that the hardware supporting these services has not been updated for over two years, a situation exacerbated by Google’s reduced presence in Russia following the onset of the Ukraine conflict.

Subsequent reports from various Russian media outlets, citing anonymous sources allegedly close to the Kremlin, suggested that YouTube might be completely banned in the country by September. However, Peskov firmly denied these claims, attributing the service slowdown to the aforementioned technical difficulties rather than any deliberate government action.

When questioned about whether Moscow had considered reaching out to YouTube to address the service issues, Peskov indicated that Russian companies have likely attempted to contact the platform. He clarified that it was YouTube’s own decision to limit its operations in the Russian market, not a decision initiated by the Russian government. “We can only regret this, but, of course, leaving this market has its technological consequences,” he noted.

Anton Gorelkin, the deputy head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, also commented on the situation via Telegram, stating that the slow service experienced by Russian users is not a result of any actions taken by the country’s regulatory bodies.

As the debate around internet access and censorship continues, the Kremlin’s assurance about YouTube’s status highlights the ongoing complexities in the relationship between Russian authorities and foreign tech companies, especially in light of the geopolitical tensions arising from the Ukraine conflict.