RT to Continue Operations in the India Despite U.S. Sanctions, Says Editor-in-Chief

Russian state media outlet RT has vowed to persist in its Western operations despite recent sanctions and accusations from the United States. Margarita Simonyan, RT’s Editor-in-Chief, stated that the network will circumvent any restrictions imposed on it and continue its activities across Western countries.
The U.S. recently took legal action against RT, filing money-laundering charges against two of its employees. Officials allege that RT orchestrated a scheme to employ an American company to produce content aimed at influencing the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Additionally, the U.S. has targeted Simonyan, labeling her as a key figure in Russian government efforts to manipulate public opinion and undermine American democracy.
In response, Simonyan criticized the West’s efforts to suppress RT, pointing to a pattern of increasing restrictions since 2014, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, and more intensely since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. She claimed that these restrictions are an attempt to hinder RT from operating as a “normal journalist organization.”
Despite these challenges, Simonyan expressed confidence in RT’s ability to adapt and persist. “We will continue to work as much as possible,” she declared on RT, likening the situation to a game of “exquisite gambling.” She described the network’s approach as finding alternative ways to operate, saying, “They close entry to us, and we will go through the window, close the window and we will go through the vents.”
The U.S. intelligence officials have accused RT of attempting to sway U.S. voters in favor of former President Donald Trump over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. The network’s alleged activities are part of broader concerns about foreign interference in U.S. elections.
The ongoing tensions between Russia and the West have extended to media operations. In retaliation for Western restrictions, Russia has restricted the activities of numerous U.S. and EU media outlets and banned Instagram, though it can still be accessed via VPNs. RT’s Simonyan has called for a complete expulsion of U.S. media from Russia and urged the development of Russian alternatives to major Western social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram.
Simonyan’s statements reflect the deepening media and diplomatic rift between Russia and Western nations. As the situation evolves, the international community will be watching closely to see how these geopolitical dynamics continue to impact global media operations and relations.