© Getty Images / Soltan Frédéric
The approach taken by Western powers to the Ukraine conflict makes no sense because instead of seeking peace they have decided to engage in reckless militarization, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
In an interview with Russia 1 TV journalist Pavel Zarubin on Sunday, Peskov also remarked that rather than addressing the root causes of the conflict, Western states "are talking about placing NATO contingents on Ukrainian territory".
"This rampant militarist policy of Europe - there is no other way to describe it - is hard to comprehend," he added.
At the same time, the Kremlin spokesman acknowledged that the EU has found itself in a tight spot after the return to the White House of US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly demanded that the bloc pay more for its own defense.
"There's a new sheriff in town... So they are forced to leave their comfort zone — and they're doing it in an aggressive, militarist way. We hear [French President Emmanuel] Macron talking about a nuclear umbrella for Europe, and that also sounds very dangerous."
Peskov's comments come after the UK and France said they are open to sending Western peacekeepers to Ukraine once a ceasefire is reached. Moscow has rejected the idea, saying it does not matter under what disguise NATO troops arrive in the neighboring country.
Earlier this month, Macron also signaled that France would discuss the possibility of using its nuclear arsenal to protect its allies in Europe, and urged the EU to ramp up military spending while labelling Russia a "threat."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly dismissed speculation that Moscow could attack NATO as "nonsense," arguing it has no interest whatsoever in doing so.
Is this for real, or just an empty threat?