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Kremlin dismisses NATO attack reports as 'scare stories'
🇮🇪 Ireland /Conflict & Security

Kremlin dismisses NATO attack reports as 'scare stories'

From RTÉ News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Kremlin has dismissed US media reports suggesting Russia might attack NATO as "scare stories," following a rare visit by the CIA director to Moscow.
  • US President Donald Trump and a senior EU official also downplayed the risk of Russian aggression.
  • Russia continues its "special military operation" in Ukraine and criticizes European backers for aggressive policies.

The Kremlin has labeled as "scare stories" recent US media reports alleging that Russia could potentially attack NATO members. This response comes after a rare visit to Moscow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

A lot of such scare stories are being published right now. Of course, they have nothing to do with reality.

— Dmitry PeskovKremlin spokesman commenting on US media reports about potential Russian attacks on NATO.

Reports from The Wall Street Journal and CBS News indicated that Ratcliffe aimed to dissuade Russia from attacking NATO, citing US intelligence assessments of potential Russian aggression. The Journal specifically suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin might test NATO with a "limited assault" in the coming years.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated at a daily briefing that such reports "have nothing to do with reality." He also commented on the situation in Ukraine, reiterating Russia's preference for peaceful resolution but continuing its "special military operation" if necessary. Peskov criticized Ukraine's European supporters, accusing them of pursuing a "very aggressive policy" toward Russia.

He's not going to be attacking a NATO territory.

— Donald TrumpUS President commenting on suggestions of a Russian threat to NATO.

Adding to the downplaying of threats, President Trump stated he had "good talks" with Putin and expressed confidence that Russia would not attack NATO territory. Similarly, a senior EU official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that European services do not perceive any risk of a Russian attack on European countries, and this assessment remains unchanged.

European services in general do not see any risk of an attack from Russia to the European countries, and this assessment has not changed.

— Senior EU officialAn anonymous EU official commenting on the assessment of Russian threats to European NATO members.

Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin also characterized the meeting with his CIA counterpart as "semi-routine" and a "delicate and special matter," discussing issues within the purview of intelligence services. CBS News also reported that the CIA director's discussions in Moscow touched upon the war in Iran and potential sanctions.

Yes, the meeting did take place, but there is nothing unusual about it.

— Sergei NaryshkinRussia's foreign intelligence chief on his meeting with the CIA director.
About this summary

Originally published by RTÉ News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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