MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Thursday alleged that Europe has excessively militarized itself, effectively transforming into a 'war party,' according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He conveyed this stance to reporters in Moscow, highlighting the daily signals Russia perceives from Europe, particularly from Brussels and other European capitals, which he claims focus on plans to militarize the European bloc.

According to Anadolu Agency, Peskov remarked that these developments contradict the intentions of the Russian and US presidents, who are striving for a peaceful settlement process. He emphasized that Moscow has not received any indications from Brussels regarding its willingness to commence negotiations.

Peskov also touched upon an impending meeting between technical groups from Russia and the US, scheduled to occur in the coming days. These discussions will address issues concerning Ukraine and may potentially revive the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The grain deal, initially brokered in July 2022 in Istanbul by Turkey, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine, aimed to restart grain exports from Ukrainian ports, which were halted due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict initiated in February 2022.

Russia exited the agreement on July 17, 2023, citing unmet obligations related to the Russian segment of the deal. Moscow demanded the easing of banking restrictions and the ability to export its fertilizer before rejoining the agreement. Peskov noted that upcoming talks will delve into these intricate details.

Moreover, the spokesman disclosed that Russian President Vladimir Putin dispatched a message to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, expressing support for efforts to stabilize Syria swiftly, ensuring its sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity. Putin reaffirmed Russia's commitment to enhancing practical cooperation with Syrian leadership across various bilateral issues to fortify the historically cordial Russian-Syrian relations.