Kremlin briefing covers Victory Day parade, flight restrictions, and EU relations

Lead

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov held a briefing on May 8, addressing a range of topics including President Vladimir Putin's schedule, media accreditation for the Victory Day parade, flight restrictions in southern Russia, and relations with the European Union. He also dismissed Western media reports suggesting a risk of a coup d'état in Russia, as reported by TASS.

Coverage comparison

TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported extensively on Peskov's statements, dividing coverage into two main articles. The first focused on the president's schedule, parade accreditation, flight restrictions, and EU relations. The second addressed Peskov's response to Western media rumors about a possible coup, framing those claims as part of a disinformation campaign.

Key claims

President's schedule on May 8

According to Peskov, President Putin planned to hold a regular meeting with permanent members of the Security Council on May 8. He was also scheduled to present the Presidential Regiment with the Order of Zhukov in recognition of the unit's 90th anniversary. In the evening, Putin was to hold talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, which would continue over a working dinner.

Peskov noted that the traditional Victory Day reception in Moscow honoring foreign and distinguished guests would take place in the usual format, adding, "It will be no different."

Media accreditation for the Victory Day parade

Peskov addressed reports from the German newspaper Der Spiegel, which claimed the Kremlin had revoked accreditations previously issued to foreign media correspondents for the Victory Day parade. He called the report false, stating, "No, Spiegel is providing incorrect information, false information."

He explained that this year's parade on Red Square would be scaled down, resulting in a limited number of journalists attending. "We received a great many requests from foreign media outlets to attend the parade. However, since the entire ceremony is scaled down this year, the number of journalists has also been limited," Peskov said. He emphasized that no journalist had been stripped of accreditation: "Not a single journalist has been stripped of their accreditation."

TV journalists, Kremlin press pool correspondents, and foreign media covering the president's activities would work at the parade, Peskov stated, noting that those attending had been accredited and informed.

Flight restrictions in southern Russia

Peskov linked attacks on transport infrastructure in southern Russia to what he described as "the Kiev regime's terrorist nature." When asked about losses incurred by airlines due to air traffic restrictions in the region, he said such assessments fall within the jurisdiction of the national government.

Relations with the EU

On relations with the European Union, Peskov said President Putin is ready to negotiate with everyone, including the EU. He asserted that it was Brussels that initiated the complete severing of relations with Moscow, adding that Russia would not initiate contact on its own but was ready to move forward in dialogue with Europe to the extent that Europe is ready.

Olympic restrictions

Peskov expressed disappointment over the International Olympic Committee's decision to maintain restrictions on Russian athletes. He said Russia would continue efforts to return to the "Olympic family," including through work at the level of individual federations.

Japanese economic delegation

When asked about a potential visit to Russia by a Japanese economic delegation, Peskov directed questions on the matter to the government.

Western media rumors of a coup d'état

In a separate briefing, Peskov dismissed Western media rumors about risks of a supposed coup d'état in Russia, which relied on reports from an unnamed "European intelligence agency." Responding to a CNN journalist's inquiry, he questioned, "What 'European intelligence agency' are you referring to? I am not aware that such an agency exists. Unfortunately, I don't know what it is." He added, "I don't read such material," regardless of the source.

TASS reported that Peskov described these claims as stemming from "dubious, non-institutional sources of information" and framed them as part of a disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing the information landscape. The agency noted that several publications, citing questionable sources, were claiming a coup was imminent, narratives it said appeared designed to sow doubt and fear as Victory Day approaches.