The Kremlin: Ukraine’s crisis is long-term..and we will never trust the West

INA-source
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow believes that the crisis in Ukraine will be protracted, and that Western countries will not be able to restore his country’s confidence.

“Yes, it will be a long crisis, and we will never trust the West,” Peskov said in an interview with MSNBC on Monday.

‘Must be held accountable’

In addition, Peskov considered earlier on Monday that two Americans who were arrested in Ukraine while fighting alongside the Ukrainian army “threatened” the lives of Russian soldiers and “must be held accountable for these crimes.”

It is noteworthy that this comment is the Kremlin’s first on the cases of Americans Alexander Drewic and Andy Hoyen, according to the American “NBC News” network that conducted the interview with him.

Speaking in English, Peskov said: “They are mercenaries and were involved in illegal activities on the territory of Ukraine (…) in shooting and shelling our soldiers and endangering their lives.”

They are not subject to the Geneva Convention.

He also added in excerpts broadcast from the interview: “They must be held responsible for the crimes they committed,” noting that “these crimes must be investigated.”

While he confirmed that they are not covered by the Geneva Convention on prisoners of war, saying: “They are not in the Ukrainian army, so they are not subject to the Geneva Convention.”

It is noteworthy that US President Joe Biden had announced Friday that he did not know the whereabouts of Druk and Hoen, who are believed to have volunteered alongside other foreigners to fight in the ranks of the Ukrainian forces.

A US State Department spokesman confirmed on Saturday that Washington had seen photos and videos of two US citizens who were “reportedly captured by Russian military forces in Ukraine,” according to AFP.

Battles escalate

These statements come as battles escalate between the Russians and the Ukrainians in the east, as Moscow seeks to impose its control over the Donbass region in order to link it to the Crimea, which it annexed to its territory in 2014.

Since the launch of the Russian operation on Ukrainian soil on February 24, the West has sided with Kyiv, supporting it with weapons and material aid, while imposing severe sanctions on Moscow, affecting hundreds of companies and individuals loyal to the Kremlin.

But the most prominent fears in this conflict have recently surfaced amid warnings that it will last for years, while concern is mounting about the aggravation of global economic and food crises.