The Kremlin declined to comment today on a CNN report that the United States began preparing in earnest in late 2022 for a possible Russian strike on Ukraine with a nuclear weapon.
CNN reported yesterday, Saturday, that US President Joe Biden’s administration was specifically concerned about the possibility of Russia using a tactical battlefield nuclear weapon in Ukraine.
CNN reported that US intelligence agencies received information that there were communications in 2022 between Russian officials discussing the details of a nuclear strike.
“This is the kind of speculation that is published in various newspapers,” said Dmitry Peskov. “I don’t think it deserves any comment”. The spokesman also said he had seen Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s remarks that Donald Trump would not give money to help Ukraine fight Russia if he won the US presidential election, but had nothing to add.
“We saw them, but we have nothing to say, since no details are given there and it is not clear what kind of plan this might be. Consequently, it is not possible to say anything concrete at this time.”Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Responsibilities in Ukraine
“Orbán made these remarks after meeting with Trump in Florida last Friday. Pope Francis’ call for talks to end the war in Ukraine is quite understandable and Russia is ready to participate, but Kiev has rejected talks because of its mistaken view that the West can defeat Russia.”the Kremlin also said.
Pope Francis said Ukraine would have to have what he called the courage of a “white flag” to negotiate an end to a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people.
“It is quite understandable that (the pope) spoke in favor of negotiations”the Russian president’s spokesman said, when asked by reporters about the pontiff’s remarks.
Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly spoken of Russia’s willingness and openness to talks, but Ukraine has rejected those proposals.
“Unfortunately, both the pope’s statements and repeated statements by other parties, including ours, have recently received harsh denials”he said.
“The biggest misunderstanding is Russia’s strategic defeat”
Peskov said the situation on the battlefield shows that Western hopes of inflicting a “strategic defeat” on Russia are misplaced. “This is the biggest misunderstanding, the biggest mistake, and the course of events, especially on the battlefield, is the clearest proof of that.”he said.
Peskov also said that Russian security forces had long had information about the presence of NATO advisers in Ukraine, commenting on Polish media reports that NATO troops were in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also declined to comment on a newspaper report that Nikolai Yevmenov, the head of the Russian Navy, has been replaced, saying he does not comment on orders that are classified.
The Izvestia newspaper reported that Alexander Moiseyev, who was previously commander of Russia’s Northern Fleet, was appointed acting chief of the PN.
SOURCE: APE-ME
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