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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says Lavrov too busy to use social networks

After Maria Zakharova was appointed the official spokeswoman, the ministry has significantly expanded its presence online

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Mikhail Metzel/TASS

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, July 20. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said it was simply impossible for Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to have an account on a social networking site, because his schedule is too busy to run it properly.

"This is impossible. If you choose to have it, it should offer a frank personal history, not an account managed by other people," she said in an interview with the Kommersant daily. "In his [Lavrov’s] case, considering the amount of work he has to do and the hectic schedule that he has, it would be simply impossible for him to do this on his own."

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Zakharova said she was trying to be as open as possible in her social networking activities.

"I’m ready to answer every question. This is my choice," she said.

After Maria Zakharova was appointed the official spokeswoman, the ministry has significantly expanded its presence online. It has official pages on Facebook, VKontakte, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Periscope, Flickr and a channel on Telegram. Most Russian embassies have their own accounts as well. However, neither Lavrov, nor his deputies have so far been registered on social networks.

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