MOSCOW

A Kremlin spokesman said on Wednesday that Ukraine's decision to halt the extension of the Russian gas transit contract will significantly harm European consumers, leading to higher gas prices and reduced industrial competitiveness in Europe.  

Commenting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's announcement to stop gas transit through Ukraine, Dmitry Peskov warned that Europe would face elevated gas prices, which would negatively impact the continent’s industries.

He also said that Moscow is considering alternatives, such as setting up a gas hub in Türkiye. 

"We are already working on alternative routes, including plans to establish a gas hub in Turkey," Peskov noted.

Addressing the recent escalation in Russia's Kursk region due to Ukrainian incursions, Peskov expressed that the situation has reached a critical point. He acknowledged the concerns voiced by US presidential candidate Donald Trump about the possibility of World War III, stating that such alarmist statements are understandable given the increasing tensions.

In response to concerns about a possible Ukrainian attack on the Kursk nuclear power plant, Peskov referred to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visit to the facility, which assessed the aftermath of Ukrainian strikes. Peskov emphasized that while the IAEA lacks the authority to assign blame, there is no doubt about the Ukrainian side’s responsibility for escalating nuclear risks.

Peskov asserted that, given the current circumstances, negotiations with Ukraine for a settlement are not feasible. He remarked, "It is clear that there are no grounds for such negotiations at this time."

Regarding Kyiv’s claims of a "victory over Russia," Peskov dismissed them as familiar rhetoric from the Ukrainian government. "This is not the first time we’ve heard such statements from the Kyiv regime. We understand their nature," he said.

The conflict in the Kursk region began with a Ukrainian offensive on the night of Aug. 5-6, which Moscow alleges was instigated by Western influence, particularly the US. Last Tuesday, Moscow summoned American Charge d'Affaires Stephanie Holmes to protest the involvement of US private military companies with Ukrainian troops and the presence of US journalists in the region.

Ukraine reports capturing about 100 settlements, including Sudzha, while Russian authorities have reported 17 deaths, 140 injuries, and the evacuation of over 121,000 people. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that the offensive aims to establish a buffer zone and that Western restrictions on striking deep into Russian territory prompted the attack on Kursk. Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the incursion as a "terrorist attack."