Moscow: The Kremlin stated on Thursday that France’s concerns over a potential ‘open war’ with Russia are ‘completely unfounded.’
According to Anadolu Agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed journalists during a press briefing in response to statements made by Chief of the French Defense Staff Fabien Mandon. Earlier in the day, Mandon had expressed his primary concern over the prospect of an “open war” with Russia while speaking at the French National Assembly.
Peskov clarified that Russia does not pose a threat to any nation that does not intend to become a hub for anti-Russian activities or plans to compromise Russia’s security. He emphasized Russia’s aspiration to establish ‘good, mutually beneficial’ relations with all countries, including European nations, which he claimed have consistently refused any form of contact.
The Kremlin spokesman also mentioned that preparations are underway for discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. “We are preparing for negotiations. We will make the appropriate announcement in due course,” he noted. Additionally, Peskov mentioned that Putin has yet to reach a decision regarding a potential Easter truce with Ukraine, as Easter will be observed on Sunday.
On March 30, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his country’s readiness for an Easter ceasefire during a conversation with journalists. The following day, he announced that Kyiv had proposed a temporary truce during Easter and expressed hope that the US would support this proposal. In response, Peskov remarked that Moscow had not received a “clearly formulated initiative” for an Easter ceasefire, suggesting that Zelenskyy was seeking “any” ceasefire due to Russian advances along the front line in Ukraine.
In a separate matter, Peskov commented on reports regarding a Russian frigate escorting tankers through the English Channel. He stated that Moscow had observed “multiple instances of piracy in international waters in recent months,” which had negatively impacted the economic interests of the Russian Federation. He asserted that Russia believes it has the right to protect its interests and will undoubtedly take measures to do so.
On Wednesday, British newspaper The Telegraph reported that a Russian Black Sea Fleet frigate had accompanied a pair of UK-sanctioned tankers through the English Channel. In late March, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized military actions to board UK-sanctioned oil tankers in British waters. A corresponding press release mentioned that this action follows the Royal Navy’s support in monitoring and tracking several shadow fleet ships to enable interdiction in European and Mediterranean waters in recent weeks.