Telegram won't work properly unless I allow GMS's access to SMS??

Saw this pop-up in Telegram:

"This app won't work properly unless you allow Google Play Services requests to access the following: SMS"

I am kinda paraphrasing, but that was what it meant.

I dont even know how to grant GMS sms permission. What is happening?

pizzadequeso It works well even without GMS. Logging in for the first time on the device doesn't require those impure services either.

There are foss clients for this russian tool, if you can't leave without it.