Tetyana Bereshna Meets with Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos
Tetyana Bereshna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture, held a significant discussion with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos during the Lumière Summit in France. Their conversation focused on limiting Russian content on the streaming platform—particularly the animated series Masha and the Bear—and exploring collaborative opportunities to advance Ukraine’s film industry.
In August 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed sanctions targeting the creators, distributors, and rights holders of Masha and the Bear as part of Ukraine’s broader campaign against Russian propaganda. Ukrainian authorities have urged global streaming services to remove the Ukrainian-dubbed version of the show. Netflix confirmed that this version is currently unavailable to users worldwide. Notably, Netflix ceased its services in Russia back in March 2022.
Opportunities for Developing Ukraine as a Film Production Hub
The meeting also addressed Ukraine’s potential to establish Kyiv as a leading film production center in Central and Eastern Europe. Bereshna emphasized that Ukraine boasts highly skilled professionals, robust infrastructure, and considerable potential to build a competitive audiovisual sector.
“I appreciate Netflix’s support for Ukraine and collaboration on critical efforts to counter Russian propaganda. It is vital to prevent this propaganda from reaching children across different countries,” said Tetyana Bereshna.
This dialogue highlights the crucial role of international partnerships in combating misinformation and propaganda, especially amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Restricting Russian content on platforms like Netflix serves as a key measure to protect Ukraine’s information space and foster a future generation free from hostile influence. Simultaneously, expanding Ukraine’s audiovisual industry promises new opportunities for film production in the region, strengthening the country’s cultural presence on the global stage.
In a similar vein, YouTube has recently taken action by blocking access to 31 Russian artist and propaganda channels in Ukraine. This move underscores the growing efforts of digital platforms to limit the spread of misinformation and protect viewers from harmful content amid the ongoing conflict. Such initiatives are vital in supporting Ukraine's stance against propaganda and ensuring a safer media environment for all.