Putin says Russia has no plans to close Internet

MOSCOW, Dec 19 (PRIME) -- Russia is not moving toward closuring the Internet and has no intention to do so, while the notions of “free” and “sovereign” Web do not contradict each other, President Vladimir Putin said at an annual press conference on Thursday.

“The notions of ‘free’ and ‘sovereign’ Internet are not contradictory, because the law aims only at aborting negative consequences of possible disconnection from the global network, whose control is mainly located abroad,” Putin said.

“This is what is meant, what is sovereignty – to have our own resources, which can be engaged so that we cannot be cut off. It is the point of the law, and there are no limitations.

“We’re not moving toward closure of the Internet and are not going to do it.”

Putin signed the law on the sustainable Runet, the Russian-speaking segment of the Internet, in May to secure it in case of a threat from abroad.

End