Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on 28 September that Ukraine allegedly «must pay the price» for its actions in recent months. According to him, Moscow links this to the continuation of Russian strikes. The Kremlin spokesman also stated that Russia must prevent a situation in which anyone announces plans to deal it a «devastating blow».
Briefly about the main points
- Peskov has made a new threatening statement directed at Ukraine.
- He stated that Ukraine «must pay the price».
- This is how the Kremlin explains the continuation of Russian strikes.
- Peskov once again referred to the alleged plan for a «devastating strike» against the Russian Federation.
- Zelenskyy had previously spoken of a response in the event of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector.
Peskov linked the statement to the continuation of Russian strikes
Commenting on the prospects for the resumption of talks between Ukraine and Russia, Peskov stated that he had already set out Moscow’s position Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin spokesperson then went on to make threats against Ukraine.
«Ukraine will have to pay the price for the actions that have taken place over recent months. That is exactly what is happening now.».
Peskov added that Russian troops are continuing combat operations and striking targets which the Russian command deems appropriate. In doing so, he effectively linked the current Russian attacks with the argument about the «price» which, according to the Kremlin, Ukraine is expected to pay.
The Kremlin has once again started talking about a «devastating strike»
Peskov also stated that one of Russia’s «national interests» is to ensure its own security. According to him, Moscow must ensure that no one ever again announces plans to inflict a «devastating blow on Russia within forty days».
This is not the first time the Kremlin spokesperson has used such wording. As far back as 13 September, he claimed that the Ukrainian authorities allegedly had a «40-day plan» to launch a large-scale strike against Russia and its economy. At the time, Peskov described this as a «significant step towards escalation».
However, in his latest statement, he did not provide any new details of such a plan, nor did he explain exactly which document or officially announced Ukrainian operation he was referring to.
What did Zelenskyy actually say about strikes against Russia?
In a public statement on 11 September, the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy He spoke, first and foremost, about a mirror response on possible Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector.
Zelenskyy stated that if Russia does not attack the Ukrainian power grid, Ukraine is also prepared to refrain from retaliatory strikes. At the same time, should Russia attempt to cause blackouts in Ukraine, Kyiv reserves the right to respond.
It was following these remarks that Peskov publicly spoke of a «40-day plan» and a «devastating strike», describing Kyiv’s stance as an escalation. In other words, this wording reflects the Kremlin’s interpretation, rather than being a verbatim public statement by Zelenskyy.
Moscow is linking the issue of the strikes to the negotiations
Peskov’s latest statement came against the backdrop of discussions about a possible resumption of the negotiation process.
The Kremlin has stated that decisions regarding negotiations will be taken on the basis of Russia’s «national interests». Peskov also linked Moscow’s current stance to the attacks on Russian territory over recent months.
At the same time, hostilities and Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory are continuing. Russia has been waging a full-scale war against Ukraine since February 2022.
