March 8, 2025 (EIRNS)—Responding to U.S. President Trump’s comments that both Russia and Ukraine would be “forced” to come to a peace agreement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at his press briefing on March 7, that the special military operation (SVO) would continue until Ukraine indicates its willingness to come to the peace table. “Russia has its own interests,” he said. “We need to ensure our security.”
He also pointed to the EU decision to build up its military capabilities as a factor in Russia’s considerations. Peskov stressed that the EU constantly portrays Russia as the main threat. “All this militarization is primarily aimed at Russia, which is, of course, a matter of deep concern for us,” he replied to a question from TASS. This may lead to the need for serious concern and the development of countermeasures, the Kremlin spokesman said, adding that such a confrontational position of the EU is incompatible with attempts to find a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian conflict.
Peskov also expressed that Russia supports Trump’s call for talks on nuclear weapons reductions, particularly in light of Macron’s statements about extending the French nuclear forces as an umbrella throughout Europe.
“It is impossible not to take into account the European nuclear arsenals during this dialogue [on nuclear disarmament],” Peskov said. “We remain convinced of this, all the more so as the urgency of taking these arsenals into account is even greater now than before, given the very recent statements by Mr. Macron about France’s intention to extend its nuclear umbrella to ensure the security of European states,” he added.
“We believe that dialogue between Russia and the United States on arms control is crucial, especially concerning strategic stability,” he further remarked. “It is critical both from the perspective of the interests of our two nations, and likely for international security.”
Peskov also said that the 2022 Istanbul agreements could be the basis for beginning talks, according to the instructions of President Putin. He noted statements from the U.S. side with regard to this possibility. There have been no announcements about the next meetings between U.S. and Russian delegations, nor of the names of people who will be participating in these.