---
title: "A Telegram representative refused the request from the Western European government to silence conservative voices in Romania"
claim_id: "Y9JoWNU2u1QvYusJlrsN"
validity: 85
model: accounts/fireworks/models/kimi-k2p5
---

# Claim: A Telegram representative refused the request from the Western European government to silence conservative voices in Romania

Verdict: 85%
Model: Kimi K2.5
Checked on: 05/04/2026

## Verdict explanation

Based on my research, here is my analysis of the claim:

**Reasoning:**

- Telegram founder Pavel Durov publicly stated on May 18, 2025, that a "Western European government" approached Telegram asking to "silence conservative voices in Romania" ahead of the presidential election run-off that day[^4][^1][^3]
- Durov stated he "flatly refused" this request and said "Telegram will not restrict the freedoms of Romanian users or block their political channels"[^3][^4][^1]
- In his initial post, Durov included a baguette emoji (🥖), which was widely interpreted as hinting at France[^2][^1][^4]
- Hours later, Durov specifically named Nicolas Lerner, head of French intelligence (DGSE), claiming he asked to "ban conservative voices in Romania" at a meeting at the Salon des Batailles in the Hôtel de Crillon[^1][^4]
- The French government denied Durov's allegations, calling them "completely unfounded allegations" and denying any interference in Romania's election[^4][^2][^1]
- The claim is largely based on Durov's own account, which is disputed by France[^1][^2]
- It was Durov (the founder/CEO) himself who made the statement and refusal, not merely a "representative"[^4][^3][^2]

**Overall validity**: 85%

[^4]:
    ['Completely unfounded allegations' Telegram's founder accused ...](https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/20/completely-unfounded-allegations)

[^1]:
    [Telegram will not restrict the freedoms of Romanian users](/claim/iMlj92UEu1TpCwVHLFou)

[^3]:
    [Telegram Founder Durov Says He Rejected Western Request to ...](https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/18/telegram-founder-durov-says-he-rejected-western-request-to-silence-conservative-voices-in-romania-a89119)

[^2]:
    [Telegram founder says he rejected a Western request to silence ...](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/telegram-founder-says-he-rejects-request-silence-conservative-voices-romania-2025-05-18/)

## Sources using this claim (1)

- [A Western European government (guess which 🥖) approached Telegram asking us to silence conservati…](/source/x:durov:1924124841629651023) — Unknown — 15 views