The popular talk show host Graham Norton (58) managed to excite angry TV viewers after he joked about the tense situation in Ukraine.
The background was that the Irish presenter referred to Ukraine as “Southwest Russia” initially on The Graham Norton Show, which was broadcast on television in the UK on 4 February.
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However, the BBC has chosen to defend the host and refuses to apologize for the Ukraine joke.
The joke was about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to Kiev in Ukraine.
“This week he flew off to Ukraine, or if you watch this in replay, he flew off to southwestern Russia” (This week, he flew off to Ukraine – or if you’re watching catch-up TV, he flew off to southwest Russia).
– No topics are banned
Some TV viewers believe the joke was offensive and showed a lack of sympathy for Ukrainians who are in danger of Russian attack.
“We have received complaints about Graham Norton’s joke about Russia and Ukraine,” writes the BBC.
Also read: Norwegian avoids flying over Ukraine
The BBC responds with the following statement to the complaint:
“Every week the program starts with a monologue where Graham provides references to the latest news. In this case, it concerned Boris Johnson’s recent trip to Ukraine. We acknowledge the seriousness of the current situation there, and can assure you that it was not our intention to offend anyone with these comments. Comedy is one of the most subjective areas, and although no topics are banned, we recognize that some jokes can be received differently for those who have a personal experience with a particular situation, “reads the answer.
Signals of possible downsizing
The situation in Ukraine is extremely tense, and Western countries suggest that a Russian invasion may take place as early as this week.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is signaling on Monday a possible downsizing.
Lavrov advises President Vladimir Putin to continue talks with the West and says it is always possible to reach an agreement.
Lavrov’s message was conveyed in a carefully directed meeting with Putin on Monday. The meeting was held after several days of hectic telephone diplomacy to ease the Ukraine crisis. The United States has warned that there could be a Russian invasion of Ukraine at any time.
“As head of the Foreign Ministry, I must say that there is always an opportunity to agree,” Lavrov told Putin.
Also read: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs asks Norwegian citizens to leave Ukraine
– Continue the conversations
At the meeting, Lavrov was asked to comment on the talks with the West and responded in a way that may indicate that Russia is prepared to step down the conflict and establish a security agreement with the United States and NATO.
– Is there an opportunity to reach an agreement with our partners on key issues, or is it an attempt to draw us into an endless negotiation process? Putin asked during the meeting.
– Our opportunities are far from exhausted, and the talks should certainly not continue indefinitely, but I would suggest that we continue with them, Lavrov replied.
Lavrov pointed out that the United States has opened up to talks about a ceiling on missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military exercises and other confidence-building measures.
He also stressed that German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz is coming to Moscow to hold talks with Putin on Tuesday.
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