Moscow, April 5, 2026 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted in a March 26 interview with France 2 that Russia is upholding international law, while accusing the U.S. of violations, but the Kremlin later altered the broadcast version, adding unspoken remarks attributed to the French journalist. Lavrov claimed during the interview that Russia's actions are focused on defending international law, not primarily Iran, and denied targeting civilians in Ukraine. "The Russian military has never exclusively targeted civilian targets in Ukraine," he stated. The Russian Foreign Ministry later published an edited version of the interview on its YouTube channel, which included fabricated statements attributed to French journalist Léa Salamé. The Kremlin's version differed significantly from the original broadcast, inserting remarks she never made. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned Lavrov's assertions, stating that Russia's actions violate international law. Barrot criticized the Kremlin's narrative, saying, *"Lügen zur besten Sendezeit zu wiederholen, macht sie nicht zur Wahrheit"* ("Repeating lies during prime time does not make them true"). The discrepancies between the original and manipulated versions highlight ongoing concerns over Russian disinformation tactics. No official response has been issued by France 2 regarding the alterations. The interview aired amid heightened tensions between Russia and Western nations over Moscow's military actions in Ukraine and its geopolitical stance. Lavrov's claims align with longstanding Kremlin rhetoric positioning Russia as a defender of global order against perceived Western encroachments.