Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned on July 14 that Germany is " turning dangerous again" after the country's defense minister, Boris Pistorius, said he would be ready to use deadly force against Russian soldiers if a military conflict arose between Russia and NATO.
Speaking to the RBK daily, Mr. Peskov said: "It's unbelievable that he really said that. But unfortunately, that is the truth.
In an interview with the Financial Times on July 13, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius affirmed that German armed forces are ready for deadly action if Russia attacks any NATO country.
If the deterrence is ineffective and Russia attacks - can that happen? Yes. But I advise you to go to Vilnius (ithuania) and talk to the German soldiers stationed there. They know their duty, he said.
Mr Pistorius affirmed that all peace negotiations can only take place on the basis of equality and from a position of power. Despite deniing the Provocation, he said Germany was not a weak side and was ready to defend if necessary.
Moscow strongly opposed the statements from Berlin, saying that this was an unnecessary act of tension incitation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the West for using Russia as an excuse for NATO's increased defense spending.
Moscow has repeatedly rejected accusations from NATO officials that Russia planned to attack the US-led military bloc, calling it unreasonable. We have no interest in facing NATO, Peskov said.
