Sorry to double reply, but I realize I buried the more damning stuff.

Durov himself says:

[Unblocking Telegram] could have a positive impact on innovative development and national security of the country.

National security?! What kind of language is that?

And

“I travel to places I am sure are in line with our values and what we do. I don’t visit major geopolitical powers or other countries - like China, Russia, or even the United States,” Durov explained his personal security principles in an interview with Carlson.

So he was just lying then.

Unless there’s some egregious translation error in this story, this is all damning stuff. It’s not unannounced, it’s definitively deceptive. You don’t want the man who promises to keep your data safe to be a known liar.