Europe Obsessed With Militarization, Turning EU Into Military-Political Bloc — Kremlin
French President Emmanuel Macron reviews the troops during a military ceremony during a visit at the Digital Support and Cyber Command (CATNC) of the French Army as part of his New Year address to the Armed Forces, in Cesson-Sevigne, western France, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. 
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Europe is obsessed with militarization and plans to turn the EU into a military-political bloc, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
On Europe
French President Emmanuel Macron posted a video online on Tuesday showing a test launch of an M51.3 strategic ballistic missile to send a «loud and clear message.» «Europe is obsessed with the ideas of militarization, Europe is obsessed with plans to militarize the European Union, that is, the economic bloc, to turn it into a military-political bloc,» Peskov told reporters, commenting on the post. The idea of militarization of Europe, based on confrontation with Russia, will not lead to anything good, the official said, adding that it is a dead end. «We and President [of Russia Vladimir Putin] have repeatedly said this, we are taking all necessary measures to ensure our national security at a strategic level,» Peskov said, adding that Russia is monitoring the situation with the plans to militarize Europe and is always on alert.Russia is open to dialogue and any problems should be solved by it, not by demonstrative missile launches, he added.The student protests in France are the country’s internal matter, Peskov also said.»This is an internal matter of France, we have our own students… Of course, schoolchildren who burn down their schools, trash cans, cars, and attack police officers are bad schoolchildren,» Peskov told reporters.
On Russia-US Contacts
The conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be promptly coordinated if there is such an initiative, Dmitry Peskov said.Earlier this week, Trump said that he planned to have a conversation with Putin in the near future.»If there is such an initiative, I have no doubt that it will be promptly agreed upon,» Peskov told reporters when asked when the leaders’ conversation might take place.The phone conversation has not yet been substantially agreed upon, Peskov added.
On India’s Contribution to Ukrainian Settlement
India declares its readiness to contribute to the Ukrainian settlement, and Moscow is grateful to New Delhi for this initiative, Dmitry Peskov said.Earlier in the day, India proposed a three-part plan for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine.»The Indian side really declares its readiness to make a feasible contribution to the Ukrainian settlement. We are grateful to our Indian friends for such willingness and ideas,» Peskov told reporters.
On Middle East
Russia is concerned about the situation around Saudi Arabia, with tensions in the Persian Gulf region being off the scale, Peskov said.Earlier this week, Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, said that it had attacked airports in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and the southern city of Abha, as well as the oil refinery of the Saudi Aramco state oil and gas company in Jeddah.»The situation is really extremely worrying, the tension in the Persian Gulf region is already off the scale, because we are watching what is happening with concern,» Peskov told reporters.
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