Camilla Jessen
Moscow claims Europe is edging closer to direct conflict and undermining peace efforts.
The Kremlin has sharply criticized European countries for their continued military support to Ukraine, accusing them of “indirectly participating in the war against Russia.”
Speaking at his daily press briefing on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said arms deliveries from Europe only serve to escalate the conflict and hinder diplomatic solutions.
“We see that Europe is participating indirectly, and that arms deliveries to Ukraine, of a wide variety of weapons systems and ammunition, continue,” Peskov told reporters, according to Russian media cited by EFE, Agerpres and Digi24.
It is an indirect participation in the war against Russia.
He also pointed to recent discussions in Europe around potentially sending troops to Ukraine, a move Moscow views as highly provocative.
“This behavior of the Europeans does not contribute in any way to a peaceful solution,” Peskov added.
Germany Defends Ukraine’s Right to Strike Russia
The Kremlin’s comments followed statements from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Ukraine has the right to strike military targets on Russian soil using Western-supplied weapons.
Speaking during a press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Turku, Finland, Merz said:
Only those who have the ability to attack military targets located on the aggressor’s territory can defend themselves.
Russia Slams Drone Attacks, Defends Retaliation
The Kremlin also condemned a recent wave of Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian territory, calling the escalation “unhelpful” for any future peace talks.
Peskov emphasized that these attacks, coupled with Western weapons aid, make diplomatic progress increasingly difficult.
His comments come after Russia unleashed a series of its own massive bombardments on Ukraine, including a record-breaking 355 drones launched in a single night — the most intense air assault since the war began in February 2022, according to Ukraine’s air force.