MOSCOW, May 7. /TASS/. The adoption of additional security measures, the celebration of Victory Day, and the ceasefire announced by Russia were the main topics of Thursday’s briefing by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
TASS has compiled the spokesman’s key statements.
On president’s schedule
- Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov at the Kremlin today.
- The head of state is preparing for upcoming meetings on May 9, when foreign guests will arrive in Moscow: "In addition, of course, the president is preparing for upcoming meetings on May 9. As you know, there will be foreign guests at the May 9 celebrations who will be coming to Moscow."
On security measures
- Additional security measures are being taken in Russia "against the backdrop of the terrorist threat posed by the Kiev regime": "As you know, additional security measures are always taken by the relevant special services on the eve of major holidays -- and, of course, Victory Day is the most important holiday in our country."
- The necessary measures are being taken to protect Putin; this is standard practice for ensuring the safety of any head of state: "Just as with every head of state around the world - whether in America, Europe, Asia, and so on - appropriate measures are being taken to ensure the security of the Russian head of state."
- Additional security measures for Putin have undoubtedly been taken in light of Kiev’s threats regarding Victory Day celebrations in Moscow: "Undoubtedly."
- Ensuring the safety of citizens is an absolute priority for the Russian authorities, and all measures are taken in accordance with the law: "You know that the necessary measures are being taken within the framework of current law. They are necessary to ensure the safety of citizens, which is an absolute priority."
On Victory Day ceasefire, Ukraine-announced truce
- The Victory Day ceasefire announced by Russia will be in effect on May 8 and 9: "Yes, we are talking about May 8 and 9.."
- There was no reaction from the Russian side to the ceasefire announced by Ukraine: "There was no reaction from the Russian side to this."
On Ukrainian settlement
- Russia remains open to negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement: "We are open to continuing the negotiation process."
- Moscow appreciates US mediation in the Ukrainian settlement and hopes it will continue: "We expect Washington and those who facilitate the negotiation process to continue their good-will efforts. We highly value these services."
- Russia expects the trilateral negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement to continue: "We expect the process to continue."
- American negotiators are currently focused on the Middle East settlement for understandable reasons: "For understandable reasons, US negotiators are currently focused on other issues. The Iranian issue, of course, is now a priority for them. This is a direct process in which America is a direct participant, not a mediator."
On Victory Day celebrations
- The Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square will take place; the Russian Defense Ministry previously provided detailed information on the format: "As for the format of the parade, the Defense Ministry issued a fairly detailed statement on this two weeks ago, and nothing has changed since then."
- The Immortal Regiment event in Russia will take place in a digital format this year: "The Immortal Regiment will be digital. It will be held in person in a number of other countries where there is still interest in the event."
On EU policy
- A number of EU countries are leading the way toward a major confrontation on the continent and escalating tensions; this is their responsibility: "Poland, like a number of other European states, openly portrays Russia as the main threat to itself. We categorically reject this portrayal and find it unacceptable. We argue the opposite. Based on this line of thinking, which has effectively become a strategy for them, these countries are leading the way toward significant confrontation and escalating tensions on the European continent. This is their responsibility."
On media reports about threat of coup
- Reports in the Western press about the danger of a "coup d’etat in Russia," based on some "European intelligence," can hardly be reliable: "I have one question for you: who is ‘European intelligence’? I am not aware of the existence of such a thing. Unfortunately, I do not know who that is."
On accusations against Russia
- Foreign media outlets have recently been publishing a lot of strange information that is far from reasonable but contains accusations against Russia: "Recently, a huge amount of very strange information has been published - information based on nothing, containing no arguments or evidence, and generally far from reasonable - yet every piece contains an accusation against our country."
- The Kremlin does not consider it necessary to comment on strange, unsubstantiated, and far-fetched foreign media reports containing accusations against Russia: "We do not believe it is necessary to comment on this at all. We do not consider such information worthy of attention."
On Poland’s militarization
- Warsaw’s plans for militarization will be costly; the Polish population "will have to foot the bill": "As for the process of militarization that follows these statements, it is, of course, costly in financial terms. The country’s population will have to pay for it, because all this militarization will be carried out at the expense of citizens - in this case, Polish citizens."
On Umerov’s visit to US
The Kremlin is unaware of the reason behind Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov's planned trip to the US: "We don’t know why Umerov is planning to go to America."