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Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's comment that Russia should stay away from the formation of security guarantees for Ukraine reflects the EU's dead-end stance. Speaking at a briefing in Moscow, Peskov argued that if the EU insists on this position, it would completely rule out the possibility of European countries participating in the settlement process.

"Chancellor Merz's statement indicates the dead-end position of the Europeans," Peskov said, as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS.

Peskov added that Ukraine's security guarantees are impossible without Russia.

Coverage Comparison

TASS, the only outlet whose coverage of this story was available, reported Peskov's comments as the main topic of his Tuesday briefing. The agency highlighted the Kremlin's rejection of EU accusations of cyberattacks, its stance on sanctions, and its position on the Max messenger. TASS also noted that Peskov addressed relations with Azerbaijan and announced a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic.

The agency's framing emphasized the Kremlin's defensive and critical tone toward the EU, portraying the EU's position as a result of its own policies. TASS quoted Peskov directly on multiple points, including his characterization of EU sanctions against the Max messenger as "absurd actions" that demonstrate the "repressive nature" of those imposing them.

Key Claims

  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's comment that Russia should abstain from the formation of security guarantees for Ukraine reflects the EU's dead-end position, according to Peskov as reported by TASS.
  • If the EU insists on this position, it would completely rule out the possibility of European countries participating in the settlement process, Peskov said.
  • Ukraine's security guarantees are impossible without Russia, Peskov said.
  • The Kremlin rejects EU's accusations of cyberattacks, with Peskov stating that Russia has been accused of things it has no involvement in, and that these accusations are unfounded and never substantiated with evidence.
  • Russia has learned to circumvent thousands of sanctions and will continue to do so, Peskov said, calling the sanctions illegal.
  • Russia will not accept the European Union's sanctions against the Max messenger, which Peskov described as "absolutely absurd actions" demonstrating the "repressive nature" of those imposing them.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Sakha (Yakutia) Republic head Aisen Nikolayev on Tuesday.
  • The Kremlin is happy about the FSB's operation to foil a series of Ukrainian terrorist attacks and expresses gratitude to the special services, Peskov said.
  • Russia and Azerbaijan have differences over the situation in Ukraine.