Is Putin planning an empire?: "Empty talk" - Kremlin counters Trump, threatens EU and remains on course for war

Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger Is Putin planning an empire?: "Empty talk" - Kremlin counters Trump, threatens EU and remains on course for war David Schmitz • 1 hour • 3 minutes reading time Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has clearly rejected Western plans for a ceasefire and the deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron's comments after his visit to US President Donald Trump on Monday about a ceasefire and the deployment of European peacekeepers were "fraud," Lavrov said. Russia is not considering this option, Moscow's chief diplomat said. "It's all empty talk," Lavrov commented on the West's considerations. Trump had previously claimed that Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin agreed to the deployment of peacekeepers. Shortly afterwards, the Kremlin denied the US President's words and referred to past statements that European troops in Ukraine were "unacceptable" in Moscow's eyes. Sergei Lavrov contradicts Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron On Wednesday, the US President reiterated that such a step would probably be necessary, but that all sides would have to agree to it. A little later, Lavrov spoke clearly at a press conference without addressing Trump directly. Moscow on ceasefire: "That will not happen" Lavrov also categorically ruled out the possibility of freezing the war in Ukraine along the contact line at the front. "That will not happen, we have a constitution," emphasized the head of the Foreign Ministry. Lavrov was referring to the fact that last year Russia declared the annexed areas in Ukraine to be part of its own constitution - although the regions claimed by the Kremlin have not yet been completely conquered by Russian troops. The major cities of Kherson and Zaporizhia are also located in the territory that Moscow claims for itself, but which is still controlled by Ukrainian troops. "As long as these are not under Russian occupation, the fighting will continue," commented Russia expert and historian Matthäus Wehowski on the words from Moscow on Wednesday. Lavrov threatens EU: "Measures will not go unanswered" With a view to further talks with the USA, Lavrov explained that they would initially serve to "normalize" diplomatic cooperation between the two countries. Europe's role was also discussed at the press conference in Moscow - Lavrov again used threatening words and emphasized that the Russian assets frozen in the EU would be an issue in the negotiations with the USA. "Possible measures against frozen Russian assets will not go unanswered," Lavrov threatened Europe, where there are constant considerations about making the three-digit billion sum accessible to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister on Merz: "Rather aggressive views" Lavrov also spoke on the sidelines about the elections in Germany. "He is pursuing concrete approaches towards Russia," explained Lavrov, referring to election winner Friedrich Merz (CDU). In contrast to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Merz insisted on sending the Ukrainians Taurus cruise missiles, stressed the Russian Foreign Minister. Merz currently represents "rather aggressive views," explained Lavrov. "Let's see how that develops when Mr. Merz takes over as German Chancellor." Ukrainian intelligence chief reports on Putin's plans In Ukraine, meanwhile, no one should be surprised by the clear words from Moscow. "Russia does not see itself as a federation, but as an empire," Kyrylo Budanow, the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence service, said on Monday on the anniversary of the Russian attack. "The empire that the current leadership of the Russian Federation is leaning towards is modeled on the Soviet Union - but with the countries of the Warsaw Pact," explained Budanow, who has already been the target of Russian assassination attempts on several occasions. "Russia does not see itself as a federation, but as an empire" If Putin's plans are successful, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria in particular will be the next to come into the Kremlin's focus, Budanow predicted. In Moscow, however, they are aware that this goal cannot be "achieved quickly," explained the intelligence chief. Russia is making progress on this project, "but this progress is not significant enough - it is not enough to quickly achieve their strategic goal," explained Budanow. "That's why they need a break," he added, referring to the current talks with the USA.