Overview
- Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed Kyiv is preparing staged information campaigns to push young Ukrainians in Europe to return as potential recruits.
- She escalated rhetoric by asserting that Western backers and Ukraine’s leadership seek the “elimination” of the Ukrainian population, a charge reported as Russia’s position.
- Zakharova said Russia does not intend to attack NATO countries while taking steps to ensure national security and readiness for any developments.
- She stated Moscow remains in contact with Washington and is ready for a second US–Russia summit in Budapest if conditions follow from the earlier Alaska meeting.
- Zakharova said Russia will answer Canada’s latest sanctions and the EU’s multiple‑entry visa curbs with well‑calibrated retaliatory measures.