Kremlin Addresses Ukrainian Provocations, Black Sea Strikes and BRICS Agenda
Moscow, The Gulf Observer: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Ukraine was continuing to stage provocations with the apparent aim of drawing its Western supporters more deeply into the conflict, while addressing allegations concerning a drone threat to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s aircraft, strikes on vessels in the Black Sea and other international issues.
Speaking at a briefing, Peskov said Russian intelligence agencies were paying heightened attention to what he described as Ukrainian provocations and were taking the necessary measures in response.
He also referred to the detention in Moscow of a former security guard at the British Embassy, who Russian authorities said was an agent of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) collecting information about British diplomats. Peskov said the incident should, in his view, raise serious concerns among European governments regarding control over Kiev’s activities.
Addressing reports of an alleged drone threat to Zelensky’s aircraft at Chisinau airport, Peskov described the incident as an “imaginary” threat and said Ukrainian authorities had acknowledged that no such threat had existed.
On the situation along the front lines, Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin discusses issues related to the special military operation with defense officials and servicemen on a daily basis, including measures aimed at protecting Russian facilities from Ukrainian attacks.
He accused Ukrainian authorities of resorting to what he called terrorist activities after failing to reverse developments on the battlefield.
Regarding attacks on vessels in the Black Sea, Peskov claimed that a large number of commercial ships were being used to transport weapons for the Ukrainian military and said such vessels would continue to be targeted. He rejected the suggestion that the strikes could negatively affect relations between Russia and Türkiye.
Peskov also said Russia had not initiated attacks on ships in the Black Sea, arguing that Kiev had opened what he called a “Pandora’s box” by targeting Russian civilian infrastructure and economic facilities.
Turning to Latvia’s decision to impose tariffs on grain imports from Russia and Belarus, Peskov said the move could also harm Latvia because the trade had benefited the country. He described the development as part of continuing trade disputes and said Latvia appeared to be adopting methods used overseas to deal with customs duties.
He added that global markets offered alternatives beyond Latvia, saying Russia could turn to other markets for its exports.
On the upcoming BRICS summit, Peskov said many member countries were facing restrictions imposed by third countries and were seeking mechanisms to facilitate mutual settlements and strengthen economic cooperation.
He said initiatives such as joint investment platforms and alternative settlement mechanisms would be among the issues discussed at the forthcoming BRICS summit.
