Peskov responds to Scholz, Macron; price cap won't affect operation
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The Kremlin Spokesperson reveals that Moscow is preparing a response to the price cap and will never recognize the measure.
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Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (AFP)
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov affirmed on Monday that the introduction by the West of an oil price ceiling will not affect the financing of Moscow's special military operation.
"Russia, the Russian economy, has the necessary potential to fully meet all needs and requirements within the framework of the special military operation, and such measures [as oil price cap] will not affect it," Peskov said.
He mentioned that the cost of Russian oil after the introduction of the price cap will change, pointing out that this was a step toward destabilizing global energy markets.
"[The price] will change. One thing is clear and undeniable: the adoption of these decisions is a step towards destabilizing global energy markets," Peskov told reporters when asked if Europeans and the world should prepare for higher prices, as the US convinces allies that nothing will change.
Last week, the European Union reached an agreement on setting a price cap on Russian oil at $60 per barrel, which went into effect on Monday.
The cap will be reviewed every two months to remain at 5% below the International Energy Agency benchmark. The G7 nations and Australia also agreed that same day to set a $60 price ceiling on oil from Russia.
The Kremlin Spokesperson revealed that Moscow is preparing a response to the price cap and will never recognize the measure.
"Decisions are being prepared, but, of course, one thing is obvious here — we will not recognize any ceilings," he told reporters.
Macron's statements change nothing
Peskov indicated that Moscow does not believe the words of French President Emmanuel Macron about the need to take into account Russia's security concerns will change the general approaches of Paris.
Last week, Macron stated that the future European security architecture after the restoration of peace in Ukraine should include security guarantees for Russia.
"No, we do not think so," Peskov said, responding to a question about whether the Kremlin believes that France's approaches have changed after Macron's statement.
Russia adapting to sanctions; which contradicts Scholz's statements
In a related context, Peskov made it clear that Russia is adapting to the sanctions that have been imposed against it, which contradicts the words of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who said that they were a powerful instrument against the country.
Last week, Scholz claimed that the effectiveness of anti-Russia sanctions is increasing, adding that the restrictive measures will have to be maintained for a long time.
Peskov explained that "certain problems, of course, arise because of the sanctions, but so far they have not been of a critical nature, and here you can argue with Mr. Scholz. Actually, experts clearly see the process of adaptation of the Russian economy to these conditions, and it would be unprofessional to deny it."
The Russian diplomat said anti-Russian sanctions are harming Europeans, including the German economy.
He considered that "it would also probably be unprofessional to keep silent about the harm that sanctions inflict on European countries. I mean in terms of the sanctions that the Europeans and the EU have imposed against us. This harm is obvious, and the harm of these sanctions for the German economy is obvious."
"This is well known to our specialists, specialists in Brussels, and specialists in Berlin," he added.
Moscow-IAEA contacts around ZNPP continue, Ukrainian shelling must stop
In a separate context, the Kremlin Spokesperson confirmed that contacts between Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) around the Zaprorozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) are underway, adding that the main concern now is to stop the Ukrainian shelling on the plant, which is "fraught with great danger."
