Kremlin says Russian, Ukrainian military potentials ‘incommensurable’

MOSCOW

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained on Friday the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov said Putin meant that the Russian and Ukrainian military potentials are incommensurable when the president said “we have not started anything in earnest yet” in Ukraine.

“The president appealed to the statements that come from Western countries, from Ukraine, that said Kyiv will move on the battlefield until victory. Putin thus simply reminded that the potentials are completely incommensurable,” Peskov said, adding that only a small part of Russia’s potential is being used in Ukraine.

Turning to deliveries of Russia’s energy resources to Europe, Peskov said: “We completely reject any hints or direct statements that the Russian side is using gas or oil as a weapon of political pressure.”

He pointed out that Moscow continues with stable supplies despite sanctions and unfriendly attitude.

“Russia consistently fulfills all its obligations, and Russia is still able to guarantee the full energy security of Europe. And Russia is able to guarantee the absence of off-the-scale electricity and heat bills that taxpayers in European countries are currently receiving,” he said.

Kremlin ‘deeply upset’ about Abe’s death, strongly condemns attack against him

Peskov said Moscow is deeply upset about the attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and strongly condemns it.

“We expect that in the near future, President (Vladimir) Putin will personally send a telegram of condolences, we will specify to whom. We also deeply sympathize with all the people of Japan,” he said.

Peskov called Abe “a patriot of Japan,” who always defended the interests of his country, but preferred to do it at the negotiating table.

“It is thanks to this that he has developed a very good, working, constructive relationship with President Putin,” the press secretary stressed, noting that now such political will is “in short supply in a number of countries,” while most prefer to defend their interests on the battlefield.

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