Kremlin has no information that Russia bought drones from Iran

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Oct 2022 14:39

The Kremlin Spokesperson says the Kremlin is not shocked by the European states' initial conclusions in the Nord Stream probe.

Kremlin Spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday he has no information about Russia's purported acquisition of Iranian drones.

Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau stated that the EU will investigate if Russia has been employing Iranian combat drones in Ukraine and that if it is discovered that Tehran supplied Moscow with drones, the EU will impose penalties on Iran.

"No, we do not have such information, Russian equipment is used, you know about it, with Russian names, all other questions can be addressed to the Ministry of Defense," Peskov told reporters.

Russia not surprised by first findings of Nord Stream probe

The Kremlin is not shocked by the European states' initial conclusions in the Nord Stream probe that the explosions were sabotage; this is what Russian intelligence reported shortly after the occurrences, according to Peskov.

Two Russian export gas pipelines, Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 were attacked simultaneously on September 26. Targeted sabotage is not ruled out in Germany, Denmark, or Sweden. The occurrence was unusual, according to Nord Stream AG, and estimating the repair time was difficult. Following the incident, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office opened an investigation into an act of international terrorism.

"Our special services immediately confirmed the fact that this was sabotage and the fact that such a destruction of pipelines could occur only as a result of very, very powerful explosions. In addition, this was immediately said by experts who were directly related to the operation and know all the technical characteristics of this pipeline system," Peskov said.

Peskov regrets Nord Stream probe conducted without Russia

The Kremlin laments that the investigation into the Nord Stream terrorist incident is being conducted behind closed doors and without dialogue with Russia, according to Peskov.

“One can only express regret that this entire investigation process is taking place in a very, very closed mode, without admission to participation, without interaction with the Russian side, and it is a co-owner of this pipeline system. And, of course, we do not have the opportunity, in fact, to carry out some work in order to conduct our own investigation. Therefore, one can only express regret here," he said.

He noted that other country investigations look "from a public perspective" as if they are being tailored to the desired results.

"The way it looks from a public perspective, at least according to the statements that we hear, from Germany, from France, from Denmark — this investigation is a priori adjusted to lay responsibility on Russia. This is absurd," Peskov said. He noted that Russian intelligence had quite different information.

"This is absurd, the information that our intelligence has, it has already been stated, indicates the opposite. And, of course, you just need to use elementary logic to understand that such sabotage causes great damage to Russian interests," he concluded.

Kremlin on latest sanctions against Russia by Canada: There is nothing new

The newest sanctions imposed by Canada against Russia are nothing new, according to Peskov on Tuesday.

Canadian Global Affairs announced on Monday the expansion of its economic sanctions on Russia, targeting 34 people and Russian television network TV Zvezda for their alleged involvement in what Ottawa says is spreading "propaganda."

"There is nothing new here, I am convinced that for the majority of the people mentioned here, these imposed sanctions will not cause any special problems or discomfort," Peskov told reporters.

Kremlin says no new meeting between Putin, Grossi planned

He added on Tuesday that there are no plans for another meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi to discuss the safety of the Zaporozhye nuclear power station.

Grossi told reporters earlier in the day that he would like to meet with Putin again as soon as possible.

"So far, there is no such meeting in the president's schedule, but, on the other hand, the previous meeting was very promptly coordinated, so there will be no problems with this if necessary," Peskov told reporters.