Kremlin accuses Europe of planning ‘militarisation’

MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Thursday accused European countries of planning to “militarise” themselves rather than seeking peace, as Western military chiefs gathered in Britain to discuss how to protect Ukraine.

Major European powers including France and the UK have sought to boost military spending since Donald Trump took office in January, amid fears the US is no longer committed to European defence.

As Trump builds closer ties with the Kremlin, Russia has shifted much of its anger over the three-year Ukraine conflict towards Europe, accusing the EU and UK of being the main obstacles to peace.

“For the most part, the signals from Brussels and European capitals concern plans to militarise Europe,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters including AFP. “Europe has embarked on a militarisation of itself and has turned into somewhat of a war party.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, co-leader of efforts to form the so-called coalition of the willing alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to address a meeting of roughly 30 military officials later. Both Starmer and Macron have said they are willing to deploy peacekeepers in Ukraine following a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv, an idea Russia has vehemently rejected.