Kremlin reacts to Macron, Draghi and Scholzs visit to Kyiv

IRYNA BALACHUK — THURSDAY, 16 JUNE 2022, 14:01

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian president, said the Kremlin hoped that European leaders of France, Italy and Germany would "encourage Zelenskyy to look at the state of things" during their visit to Kyiv.

Source: Russian propaganda publication RIA Novosti

Quote from Peskov: "The Kremlin hopes that Macron, Draghi and Scholz in Kyiv will not concentrate on pumping weapons into Ukraine, because it will continue the suffering of people."

Details: Peskov also suggested that European leaders are likely to discuss the grain issue, as Russia, according to Putin’s spokesman, "has not yet understood the bottom line of Ukraine's position."

Background:

• On the morning of 16 June, the leaders of France, Germany and Italy arrived in Kyiv.

• There was uncertainty about the leaders' visit until the very last. In the evening of 15 June, Western media reported, citing sources, that Macron, Scholz and Draghi still plan to go to Kyiv together on 16 June to show support for Ukraine and discuss its application for EU membership.

• The European Commission's opinion on Ukraine's, Georgia's and Moldova's applications for EU membership is expected on 17 June.

• During a visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Johannis to Kyiv, Russian leader Vladimir Putin decided to launch missiles.