«Wir Russen starten keinen Dritten Weltkrieg»: Putin-Sprecher Dmitri Peskow über Eskalationsgefahren

00:00:00: They still think, European countries that they can strategically defeat Russia.

00:00:05: This is the greatest mistake ever!

00:00:09: It's a brainwash of European taxpayers... ...they're paying billions and billions and millions of euros for purposes of defence or for purposes supplying Kiev regime to continue the war.

00:00:22: Russia is too big an too responsible country.. ..to be initiator over Third World War.

00:00:35: Dimitri

00:00:36: Sergeyevich Peskov, you have been born on the seventeenth of October nineteen sixty-seven.

00:00:43: Exactly!

00:00:44: You are a diplomat from a diplomatic family?

00:00:47: Originally

00:00:47: yes Right...you have a special field and special interest Asian and African countries.

00:00:54: And since....

00:00:55: They're graduated from this test Yes..and

00:00:57: Since two thousand twelve you are the press secretary of President Putin.

00:01:02: is that correct?

00:01:05: Well, actually I started to be a press secretary to Prime Minister Putin in two thousand and eight.

00:01:11: Okay

00:01:13: Yeah

00:01:13: So you your way is even longer?

00:01:16: And then I studied to work in presidential administration at the year of two thousand.

00:01:22: okay so welcome To our program.

00:01:25: we're welcome.

00:01:25: Thank You great pleasure

00:01:27: Chrissie as We say In Switzerland.

00:01:30: thank you

00:01:31: you've said something very interesting the other day and probably also alarming.

00:01:38: You said that this military special operation is beginning to look like a full-scale war, And with all of people I speak here in Moscow they all reflect on how did you mean?

00:01:56: what's behind it?

00:01:58: What does change of tone exactly means?

00:02:01: why didn't start to talk about the situation as being a full-scale war?

00:02:07: We have started talking that couple of years ago.

00:02:11: Actually, at the beginning and originally it was managed in special military operation against Kiev regime with certain goals.

00:02:21: Kiev regime started becoming center for anti Russian efforts or Europeans of Americans whatever.

00:02:32: So it was about to be swollen by NATO.

00:02:37: It was about being infiltrated by foreign military regiments, and a country that would grant its soil for deployment of any kinds of weapons aimed at our

00:02:51: country.".

00:02:52: We were speaking on the threat quite long time before starting the military operation – no one could listen!

00:03:00: None of the European capitals would listen to us.

00:03:04: Biden administration wouldn't ever listen, so and Of course from the very beginning we would prefer what have preferred To solve problems through political and diplomatic movements.

00:03:18: But unfortunately We were given no chance.

00:03:24: And when understood that a correct decision to start military operation was taken.

00:03:32: So, you would probably recall that we were about to reach an agreement with the Ukrainians.

00:03:42: There was days when they were standing next to the Kiev walls and the agreement was prepared... The agreement is agreed upon by parties concerned.

00:04:02: Each paper of that agreement, each page.

00:04:05: April twenty-two in Istanbul?

00:04:08: Yes exactly So.

00:04:11: and at the time London interfered Major called Zelensky And asked him not to sign the papers.

00:04:24: so then At the same time Kiev said we would prefer not to say a paper having a gun against our head.

00:04:37: So, would you please do the step of goodwill before signing the document?

00:04:45: And President ordered our troops to be drawn from Kiev region.

00:04:50: That is an interesting aspect.

00:04:52: You might elaborate on that.

00:04:53: What was exactly the reason why we withdrew the troops from Kiev at this particular moment in time?

00:05:00: because we were about to sign a document.

00:05:03: A mutual document and the Ukrainian side asked us To make a step of goodwill Because they didn't want to send the paper under under Let's say crucial pressure coming from Moscow, okay president Putin had met it with understanding And he ordered withdrawal.

00:05:25: so but So.

00:05:28: this was the direct interference of Great Britain in these affairs.

00:05:35: And this was the first time when a European country proved to be a supporter war, not a supporter peace.

00:05:48: and after that lots of european countries found themselves directly or indirectly involved.

00:06:06: They're sending weapons, they are supplying with the ammunition.

00:06:11: Kyiv regime... ...they're supplying Kyiv Regime to their military advisers.

00:06:17: They're supplying them with satellite surveillance results and so actually give their satellites in a total disposal of Kyiv regimes.

00:06:33: the weapons, Ukrainian weapons by their satellites.

00:06:40: They're using their artificial intelligence AI in order to facilitate military activities of Kiev regime.

00:06:50: if it's not a direct involvement was that?

00:06:54: So having Russia from one side and having Kiev regime plus number European countries the United States that is supplying millions of tons or weapons to Ukraine.

00:07:13: What it is?

00:07:14: It's not operation anymore, its war!

00:07:16: Its a full-scale

00:07:17: war.

00:07:18: But this term you didn't use before.

00:07:21: so we are somehow

00:07:23: in control.

00:07:24: We have used two three years ago.

00:07:28: but

00:07:30: how would you assess current situation?

00:07:34: Very much concerned that we are in a very dangerous situation, you could say.

00:07:41: In a vicious cycle of escalation.

00:07:44: We have the Ukrainian side which is heavily armed and supported with taxpayer money And weapons from the West.

00:07:51: as I said They're escalating war into Russian territory.

00:07:55: It causes difficulty.

00:07:56: The people talk about it.

00:07:58: Then there's pressure on Russia.

00:08:01: How do they answer this?

00:08:03: This terrible situation of escalation, as we know from history.

00:08:07: Escalation opens the door to hell!

00:08:11: Where do you stand?

00:08:13: How do you assess this situation and how dangerous?

00:08:16: in what kind of dangerous chamber are right now?

00:08:20: The war is dangerous all the time... ...the military activities at the center of Europe.

00:08:24: it's a very dangerous thing.

00:08:29: Especially when when at least one side of the story is being provoked by European capitals for continuation of this war, and Kiev regime has been provoked.

00:08:47: They still think that they can defeat Russia strategically.

00:08:58: This is the greatest mistake ever!

00:09:01: And thats why Kiev regime is not that flexible in terms of choosing the political and diplomatic means for the solution.

00:09:11: What has changed since last year?

00:09:14: When I was seeing you, when I saw President Putin at a certain conference one had an idea with coming from the American president.

00:09:23: there were some kind of hope that agreement could be found.

00:09:26: but now coming back to Russia it feels like The situation has gravely deteriorated.

00:09:33: There is also a much more gloomy atmosphere, I would say from the people that I talk to and the beams of hope seem they have evaporated?

00:09:45: Well, of course... People want war in order for it to come to its end And people prefer peace than war.

00:09:57: But they all demand that the peace comes with victory.

00:10:03: This is a crucial difference

00:10:05: on all sides?

00:10:07: Well, I don't know...I cannot speak for Ukrainian side so their position is deteriorating day by day.

00:10:17: Ladies and gentlemen, please forgive this outstanding interruption.

00:10:21: I will of course give the microphone back to the moderator again, but before that I have a very important statement.

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00:11:14: to take big decisions, to escalate the war even into territory of European supporters.

00:11:22: I've heard from Senator Pushkoff that there is a list of hundred twenty European companies that are considered legitimate war aims.

00:11:33: Now, in Europe they say this is totally out of the question.

00:11:36: This is a typical Russian propaganda.

00:11:39: They will never escalate and think that with every drone strike to Russia The chances for peace get closer.

00:11:47: How would you comment on European perception?

00:11:52: Which I think are really convinced That it's the situation

00:11:56: What is going on here in Europe?

00:11:58: All of a sudden Europe understood Anymore guaranteed from the point of your security by The United States and that they have to add a military A military capacity To EU.

00:12:15: two economic block.

00:12:17: And now we are witnessing it transformation of you to an economic and military block.

00:12:24: This is a brand new brand-new Brand New process on European soil.

00:12:35: And of course we were monitoring it very closely because for us, its extremely important and will take to apply additional measures for ensuring our national security.

00:12:52: In his first term Trump was trying make Europeans to spend two percent of their GDP, annual GDP for the purposes of defense.

00:13:03: And now without any insistence coming from the United States Europeans are spending about five per cent.

00:13:12: Lots of capitalists are spending by five percent on their national GDP.

00:13:18: if it's not militarization or view what is it?

00:13:23: It is!

00:13:24: To persuade your taxpayers That you have to spend their money for weapons instead of spending it for hospitals and For schools And for health care.

00:13:38: What would you create?

00:13:41: You will create an evil.

00:13:44: Is there better evil on European soil than Russia for Europeans?

00:13:48: now we are perfect evil.

00:13:51: So, its a brainwash of European taxpayers.

00:13:55: They're being brainwashed for one hundred percent.

00:13:59: A theory of danger for all of them is being exploded, for one hundred percent.

00:14:06: And they're paying billions and billions and millions of euros... ...for purposes of defense or for purposes of supplying Kiev regime to continue the war as we say till the last Ukrainian.

00:14:21: How close?

00:14:23: They start to feel extremely uncomfortable with Ukrainians now.

00:14:29: they're not going to grant them asylum if They can be on the front's On The war.

00:14:38: Now, they are trying to reduce their salaries And so on and so forth.

00:14:45: So there started to be uncomfortable with the Ukrainians but Ukraine in Kiev regime is a perfect tool To continue.

00:14:55: the wall was Russia.

00:14:56: you know history of course And I know that you are one of the most western-minded diplomats of Russia.

00:15:04: That's your reputation, everybody tells me as Mr Peskov.

00:15:07: he is actually a totally Westernized personality and his disappointed how things were going... You know the history?

00:15:16: You know Russia lies on the West and in East.

00:15:19: so it was a word for a Russian who was Westernised.

00:15:24: It's quite relevant.

00:15:25: I would

00:15:27: see it as a compliment, that is meant in the positive way.

00:15:32: but history again how close are we to World War three?

00:15:37: This question concerns me most.

00:15:39: looking back in two days of the Cuban Missile Crisis Kennedy and Khrushchev they telephoned at last could prevent Armageddon.

00:15:49: What's your honest assessment, how close are we to such a kind of hellish perspective?

00:15:58: Russia is too big and too responsible country... ...to be an initiator over Third World War.

00:16:09: United States knows the possible consequences for that war as well.

00:16:19: Plus….

00:16:20: We have relatively good dialogue.

00:16:23: We're not good in our bilateral relations because they are stuck there on a zero level, bilateral relations.

00:16:31: But despite that we are clever enough to talk with each other and were too big or powerful in terms of mutual deterrence to be at war.

00:16:48: but there is Europe.

00:16:56: There are lots of crazy things in the heads of European politicians.

00:17:00: For example,

00:17:03: that Russia should be defeated strategically.

00:17:07: We have to spend more and more money for our defense And trying to spend More and more Money for our Defense.

00:17:14: they Are Trying To Get Closer With Their Military Infrastructure To Our Borders.

00:17:22: Will Any Country Tolerate That?

00:17:24: No!

00:17:25: A country will take measures Of Precaution.

00:17:28: We're going to do the same, we are going to ensure our security.

00:17:32: But we will never start a Third World War.

00:17:38: We've never started!

00:17:40: Remember history?

00:17:42: But when it was started against us... ...we responded till the end.

00:17:49: Strategically weak in Russia.

00:17:52: This is an interesting term.

00:17:56: I was reading A few books for the twenty-second June, you know.

00:18:03: The eighty five years... ...the operation Barbarossa and the attack of German Wehrmacht And I don't know whether i should say that in conversation with a Russian high ranking official.

00:18:16: But when here strategically weak Russia it reminds me some very scary narratives In Western European history Of course, overblown with racist rhetoric of Nazi language.

00:18:34: But where like similar conceptions came up you know they were saying yeah we have to cut the Soviet Union apart.

00:18:43: We had push Russians down in order get hold their natural resources but should not function as independent power.

00:18:54: I hate to say it, but there are American generals today talking in a very similar way.

00:19:00: And that was just interested.

00:19:01: how you as Russian when you hear strategically weak does this film of history always also go into your mind?

00:19:13: gets it activated?

00:19:14: That do think.

00:19:15: here we go again We're back somehow in history.

00:19:20: This is sometimes the impression i get.

00:19:24: What would you say?

00:19:25: Well, history unfortunately has a bad habit of repeating itself in... ...a little bit modernized way but repeating itself.

00:19:34: And sometimes farcical!

00:19:36: Of course we'd like not to see any situations like it was in the middle of thirties or previous centuries But lots of things very much alike are happening right now.

00:19:55: And what we see, the process of militarized Europe and the process for creating an enemy in our face... Of course it disturbs us!

00:20:08: It's a issue of disturbance to

00:20:09: us.

00:20:10: I mean President Putin.

00:20:12: you know him from long time.

00:20:14: Some leaders of European Union.

00:20:18: Let's talk about President Macron and others.

00:20:21: He knows them for years, they had a great relationship not many years before.

00:20:29: Tell me how disappointed is your president?

00:20:33: About some of the leaders in The European Union at the moment.

00:20:37: who can he trust?

00:20:39: I mean if you say Europe is special Is Europe probably your enemy At the moment?

00:20:43: i don't know.

00:20:44: You might explain but

00:20:45: Who Can

00:20:45: You Trust And how big is the disappointment in your leadership?

00:20:49: Before

00:20:50: trusting someone, you have to start talking to him.

00:20:57: So... The question is not about trust at this stage.

00:21:01: it will be on a further stage and I now no doubt that we'll come to that stage because everything is repeating itself.

00:21:11: so after very harsh confrontation there would new generations of for European politicians.

00:21:20: They will be wiser people, in terms of politics and they'll come to an initial start-up dialogue because otherwise we won't able create a new architecture security in Europe.

00:21:34: And then there can not any Ukrainian solution without the new architecture of security.

00:21:43: Do you consider the European position at that moment?

00:21:48: Do you consider this as a temporary confusion, which will be overcome soon?

00:21:56: I mean we see a lot of changes on the political landscape.

00:21:59: Some leaders are not in power anymore.

00:22:02: Are you optimistic that new governments come to Europe and millions of people don't want conflict with Russia?

00:22:12: How do you assess these developments?

00:22:17: A current generation of politicians in Europe, we can hardly imagine that they will initiate any dialogue with Russia.

00:22:28: We have a reason to believe it and we have certain knowledge so as to understand how this could be possible.

00:22:37: But at the same time everything is changing.

00:22:42: Sooner or later we'll see new politicians new leaders in Europe.

00:22:48: Who knows, maybe they're going to be more open for a dialogue because one cannot solve difficult problems without the dialogue?

00:23:01: At that moment would you say that Europe actually is an enemy of this war and fighting it not against Ukraine but against Germany or France?

00:23:16: Well, we are fighting with Kiev regime that is being backed by lots of European countries.

00:23:31: And what does the escalation mean for your government if you see there's drone strikes in Moscow?

00:23:39: It's an initial burden to us but we're powerful enough.

00:23:48: So we have adopted ourselves to the new conditions of this war with our economy, With our way of taking decisions.

00:24:02: And that's why we can afford continuation and giving these situation on the fronts.

00:24:09: We are quite optimistic.

00:24:12: We're going further.

00:24:13: so from one hand you see these drone strikes, it's a new characteristic of modern war.

00:24:24: So technologies are developing very fast.

00:24:26: every second month you see new technologies on this world and its different economy.

00:24:33: so now your contact to the war with drones that cost couple thousand dollars instead using tank that costs, let's say, twenty-thirty million dollars.

00:24:48: So this is the difference.

00:24:50: it a huge difference and of course those technologies are coming to Kiev from all over Europe.

00:25:00: so but... It´s very harsh competition But we're in position to compete.

00:25:08: We´re on position to competing.

00:25:10: And what most important for us that on the front, we are expanding our positions and it's quite positive.

00:25:23: When I talk

00:25:24: to you... We're going further.

00:25:25: When

00:25:26: I talked to people in Moscow on other recent days, how do you see the chances of escalation?

00:25:32: Some say they talk with military officers.

00:25:36: They already have an opinion that Russia should use tactical nuclear weapons.

00:25:42: This is something the rhetoric of Mr Karaganov.

00:25:46: But there are also some who say no... President Putin is achieving its goals on the battlefield without this kind of heavy escalation, so there's no need.

00:26:00: Strategically and militarily it doesn't make sense to expand a war in that sense because these would open Pandora's box with unforeseen consequences.

00:26:11: Who are closer?

00:26:21: nuclear doctrine.

00:26:23: So it stipulates the conditions for usage of nuclear weapons.

00:26:29: It's very bold, it is very understandable and simple.

00:26:34: If something endangers the idea of existence in Russian state then nuclear weapon will be used.

00:26:45: Otherwise.

00:26:46: no, otherwise not.

00:26:49: Its important to understand that.

00:26:51: So the rest of these statements are speculations.

00:26:59: We can't afford continuation with positive results for us without that and we're doing bad, so only a couple days ago our military reported about taking very important city in Donbas.

00:27:25: Konstantinovka?

00:27:26: Yes, it was prepared to be untakeable fortress since the... Since nineteen fourteen, two thousand fourteen and despite that they managed to take it.

00:27:43: And now there are going another two important cities.

00:27:47: It's Kramatorsk and Slavansk.

00:27:50: After that, the whole territory of Donetsk Republic will be taken.

00:27:54: I mean this is a question... We'll be

00:27:56: liberated as we say it?

00:27:58: That's a question that arises in the West.

00:28:00: Of course you have communicated these are lot times but still at what point Will Russia settle for peace?

00:28:09: What has to be achieved and what is essential For you which probably not fully understood In Western European audience?

00:28:19: Where would you settle for peace?

00:28:26: Given the line for endangering our bordering regions that is being pursued by Kiev regime, we have to create a buffer zone.

00:28:38: And more as president had said... The more Kiev regime will try to have strikes on our territory The bigger this buffer regime is going to be created.

00:28:55: So because at the same time our military they are advancing on different directions in order create these buffer regimes, zone of security for

00:29:06: all borders.

00:29:07: so it depends a bit how much they expand.

00:29:10: and You said that this is a war against the Ukrainian regime and the supporters, of course behind them.

00:29:20: If now an Ukrainian mother would sit in this room had lost like many Russian mothers have lost their boys what you say to these Ukrainian mothers?

00:29:34: What will your message be?

00:29:39: Zelensky came into power promising his people stop the war.

00:29:45: That was his initial promise.

00:29:51: And he still can stop the war taking very responsible decision to withdraw his troops from Donbass, From regions that are now Russian regions.

00:30:04: To acknowledge this situation that is de facto acknowledged as a Deuro and The next day they

00:30:13: will be over.

00:30:15: They should ask their president that who's legitimate.

00:30:21: now can be asked whether he is really legitimate or not.

00:30:27: President Zelensky, it an interesting topic I've heard at the first meeting of president Putin and president Zelenskiy And you might be

00:30:37: present there in Paris?

00:30:38: I think so one of them was.

00:30:41: They actually had a very good meeting, is that true?

00:30:44: That the relationship initially between President Zelensky and President Putin was excellent.

00:30:50: Do you feel somehow betrayed by president Zelenski?

00:30:53: or how did... Oh no!

00:30:54: ...that relationship deteriorate?

00:30:56: No then in Paris it was discussion of Minsk agreements And there were drafts of joint statement which was agreed upon from experts prior to date of meeting And the moment they sat on one table, there was Merkel all under Putin and Zelensky.

00:31:23: So I think all of that wasn't all under him.

00:31:30: And Zelenski started to argue about this joint statement... About the text!

00:31:37: So when Putin asked him listen our experts were working with it for a week Before the day we met.

00:31:44: why you are arguing on that?

00:31:49: And it was a first experience.

00:31:51: Okay,

00:31:51: okay

00:31:52: It wasn't first experienced quite as striking example.

00:31:56: I mean one can never go back in history.

00:31:59: But in light of everything that happened since February two thousand and twenty-two My impression is that Russia miscalculated That your leadership thought This war will be over very soon.

00:32:17: Probably we'll have a negotiation, which happened in April.

00:32:21: twenty-two probably also underestimated the Western Determination to support Ukraine.

00:32:30: you underestimated The resistance from Ukraine.

00:32:34: I mean this is just my impression.

00:32:36: form outside.

00:32:36: you may correct me immediately But the question is in light of everything that happens Would you say it was worth?

00:32:46: It wasn't important.

00:32:48: Was it necessary this military operation which turned into a war and Which is now in a state of probable escalation, which could even unleash hell at least in Europe?

00:33:01: was it worth or wasn't did not A mistake by Russia being the bigger And in that sense to more responsible power.

00:33:12: You know he had to be taken his decision.

00:33:14: It had to be taken due the experience of negotiating with European capitals and United States.

00:33:23: As soon as you understand that no one would listen, take firm steps.

00:33:30: I have a book here by a famous Russian writer who lived very close to our office in Zurich, in Solicone.

00:33:37: It was Ivan Ilyin.

00:33:40: He lived in a house like four hundred meters from...from our office building and he said it's important for you look at the world through your heart not just through your mind.

00:33:53: And what you've just said Mr Peskov Was is from your heart.

00:33:58: or Press secretary, the press officer of The Kremlin speaking.

00:34:03: Is that true?

00:34:04: Both!

00:34:05: Of course.

00:34:06: And Iljin also wrote.

00:34:08: it's fascinating.

00:34:10: I think even he is in the poison box In Europe.

00:34:15: you shouldn't read Iljin but his very interesting and He writes about hatred and says Sometimes when your hated by someone how can you overcome hatred?

00:34:29: Can you overcome this kind of extreme existential conflict?

00:34:33: I have a double question for you.

00:34:35: What is your explanation?

00:34:38: that there's so much negative energy against Russia and it's hard to get through its message, make its point.

00:34:50: what stands behind that?

00:34:51: That the first question.

00:34:52: The second question Is what can Russia do today in overcoming this circle of negative emotion, escalating... let's call it hatred or whatever you want to call.

00:35:05: What can you do?

00:35:08: Russia is too big so to be invisible for Europe and Europe prefers to pay extra attention to Russia And its very comfortable for them to create a danger out of Russia.

00:35:27: So you can spend more money.

00:35:32: You can close your eyes on certain crisis elements in your economy, blaming everything on Russia and so on... And I would say that the current generation of politicians are very populistic.

00:35:59: The easiest way to provoke feelings of hatred in your electorate is to insist that this is the main enemy and we have to all be united.

00:36:13: We have create our defense identity, spend money for it... Plus historical traditions plus history repeating itself Plus this is kind of revenge that some powers in Europe are trying to take.

00:36:35: Yes, it's another important thing I think.

00:36:39: Well why Europeans modern Europeans are closing their eyes on those nazis and in Kiev streets?

00:36:48: Why they're closing the rise and Kiev regime trying to make heroes out of those nazes who used to be involved in killing of hundreds, hundreds of thousands

00:37:04: Jews

00:37:05: Poles Russians and so on and so forth.

00:37:08: How come?

00:37:09: But they closed their eyes.

00:37:12: We cannot understand it

00:37:15: And you are like the chief communicator of Russia.

00:37:19: What is your

00:37:20: now?

00:37:20: we have lots where.

00:37:21: I have a lot of them Of course but you're one communicator

00:37:23: off Russia's president point sure

00:37:24: about but during a very important position.

00:37:27: What is your strategy?

00:37:28: I mean, i have the conviction that history is ruled by misunderstandings.

00:37:33: It's not evil will... ...I don't believe in conspiracy theories.. ..I do'nt belive that let say the Europeans are genetically or somehow historically metaphysically against Russia….

00:37:45: …i think an important part.

00:37:47: of course it´s the History Of The Soviet Union which still reverberates and the people, especially in Eastern Europe.

00:37:54: they haven't overcome it.

00:37:56: They start to confuse things... ...they are afraid of a big country or sovereign country Which is ruled by very strong leader but still It's always a misunderstanding.

00:38:07: You know that there're so many wrong conceptions.

00:38:10: What your strategy?

00:38:12: Or what is your strategy?

00:38:13: not to despair?

00:38:14: Well number one Is be powerful enough To withstand the competition and confrontation.

00:38:25: This is number one.

00:38:26: if you are powerful, You're respected.

00:38:29: even If they are afraid of you They would respect.

00:38:35: So America is not that popular in Europe But all Europeans Are ready to listen.

00:38:42: The words I'm your boss today Yeah?

00:38:48: They show respect Because America's powerful.

00:38:52: so we are powerful and will continue to be powerful.

00:38:56: What would you say is the...

00:38:57: This is number one?

00:38:58: Sorry!

00:38:59: Number two, we'll continue to open for dialogue.

00:39:05: We'll continue.

00:39:06: it's been opened for dialogue.

00:39:07: And uh..we'll continue.

00:39:09: expect that after saying a thousand times President Macron Will take your telephone and call president Putin.

00:39:17: Not just repeating but I will call putin in week.

00:39:20: I will called putting in month then i will called putin on year.

00:39:24: So well Be very patient and wait until it is done.

00:39:28: Do you get telephone calls from Macron, from Mertz behind the scenes?

00:39:33: We don't know about them...

00:39:35: And plus to that we'll continue to explain ourselves will continue to use media will continue To us all modern technologies of communications to convey our point-of-view.

00:39:49: Is Russia those

00:39:50: coming generations of European politicians?

00:39:54: Is Trump the American president?

00:39:56: is he for you a silver lining on the horizon?

00:40:01: I remember an interview He gave in two thousand seventeen A striking interview by President Trump before The Super Bowl Final with Bill O'Reilly from Fox Television.

00:40:14: and Bill O Reilly asked Trump was hardly in office.

00:40:18: She said what do You think about Putin?

00:40:22: And then Trump gave the surprising answer for an American president, I thought Republican.

00:40:27: He said well Bill I respect him and Then bill O'Reilly was shocked he's what?

00:40:35: Respecting but this man is a killer.

00:40:38: and then trump said Well he might be a killer But you know bill there are many killers out There.

00:40:44: and don't you think that we as Americans are so innocent?

00:40:48: And I thought at the time, what a statement.

00:40:52: From a Republican American president in two thousand and seventeen... ...and that this could be a chance of better mutual understanding between Washington and Moscow because as you well know there are totally different American guys speaking differently from your President.

00:41:09: So how do you assess the American President?

00:41:12: Are you disappointed by him?

00:41:14: Have you thought he could deliver more, in the spirit of anchorage or however you want to call it?

00:41:22: What is Trump... How do you see him at the moment.

00:41:27: He's very different from European

00:41:30: politicians

00:41:31: so he prefers to solve problems and to solve problem by talking.

00:41:38: It corresponds with our stand So we are not going necessarily agreeing on everything.

00:41:48: So we would rather disagree on everything, but at least will continue talking to each other.

00:41:56: and then of course We can only welcome such an approach.

00:42:02: And we started our conversation with the question how dangerous The whole situation is?

00:42:08: This is very important for me since I have the opportunity To talk to such an eminent official in Russia, a bit for the German speaking audience.

00:42:21: The European audience of course...

00:42:23: Do you have

00:42:25: like one crucial message concerning this whole escalation logic that we are now which is very unforeseeable?

00:42:38: What do our viewers have to keep in mind about Dangerousness of the situation we are in.

00:42:46: What is the most important

00:42:47: thing?

00:42:47: Very simple, number one Russia's not a source of danger for Europe.

00:42:55: Number two you have to listen to Russia's concern.

00:43:00: Number three if you neglect Russia's concerned You will have problems.

00:43:07: number four Try to renew your dialogue with Russians as soon as possible.

00:43:12: they are open They are flexible and there ready.

00:43:19: It is as simple as that.

00:43:22: Let me conclude with a personal question, you are long time political operator in Russia.

00:43:31: You know the world have been everywhere.

00:43:34: I've never involved them.

00:43:35: politics

00:43:36: Never?

00:43:36: No i'm civil

00:43:38: servant Civil Servant but In The Middle of important Political Decisions.

00:43:45: if you compare yourself like fifteen years ago, sixteen years ago two thousand and ten.

00:43:52: And now the last sixteen years with all these conflicts and escalations what is the most important lesson about life?

00:44:04: About politics... ...about the world.. ..the human condition you have learned in the past sixteen years?

00:44:12: Well it's a very good question!

00:44:14: A very interesting one.

00:44:16: Actually, the world is different and I can hardly imagine that those times will ever return.

00:44:33: So we understood all these words of various international organizations about living in accordance with rules established who knows by whom or any references to international law that is not respected anymore.

00:45:07: And all of a sudden we understood, no one should trust the western world and nobody should trust this system of political coexistence juridical coexistence and economical coexistance That were set up by the western world.

00:45:36: And Western World is smaller than rest of the world and it should never dictate its rules to the rest of this will be our, so now our eyes are wide open.

00:45:54: but one could conclude a very optimistic note from what you were saying because when the unilateral dominance In the last thirty years after the Cold War, it was United States of America.

00:46:10: They're not strong as they probably want to be or any more to control everything.

00:46:18: so we see Russia has strongly improved since nineteen ninety... It's a different country.

00:46:25: I was here in nineteen ninety two for first time and then told me at this Vestia Cup ice hockey tournament that said don't go out after seven o'clock In the evening, you might get killed or robbed in Moscow and St.

00:46:38: Petersburg.

00:46:39: It's a totally different country.

00:46:40: You see China which is amazing with its success The so-called Global South Which does not want to be called global south Proud countries like Vietnam and others.

00:46:52: We see the United States.

00:46:54: we see European Union Europe in a tricky shape.

00:46:58: Isn't that good news?

00:46:59: That we are entering into world of plurality of diversity, multi-polarity.

00:47:06: But it's a world with tension and conflict not single rules.

00:47:11: How do you see this new worlds coming up?

00:47:14: Are you optimistic or are we entering an extremely dangerous

00:47:18: world?

00:47:18: Europe is not the center for development.

00:47:22: Let them be humanitarian development or economic or political.

00:47:26: The center of development somewhere in different places in the south.

00:47:35: If you take the biggest country with population of one point five billion, it's India.

00:47:42: The high rate... High numbers of development of GDP per year.

00:47:49: and then China In Indonesia, in the Philippines And Brazil ...in India.

00:47:58: So its a different world.

00:48:07: they will never agree to be overwhelmed by a sovereign anymore.

00:48:13: But

00:48:14: that's the good news, we are actually doomed to cooperate!

00:48:19: We're entering in new world of I hope friendly coexistence.

00:48:25: or are you pessimistic about near future?

00:48:28: Or optimistic do think A better world than the last thirty years, or do you think we are entering a very dangerous and dark

00:48:38: world?

00:48:38: You know my parents.

00:48:41: they've been also teaching me... ...you have always hope for the best.

00:48:48: But you must be prepared for the worst!

00:48:51: And let me ask one very last thing Mr Peskov.

00:48:55: I don't want to stretch your time too much.

00:48:57: We have criticized some aspects of the European reality, but of course Russia and Europe they have a lot of historical ties.

00:49:08: I would say that Russia is an European country Of course with other influences as well.

00:49:14: Say something positive about Europe And we had our two hundred and fiftieth birthday after United States.

00:49:21: What inspires you personally still?

00:49:24: in Europe and the United States, even though you're confronted with your everyday life probably some aspects of European and American reality which are not so endearing to you.

00:49:38: but still what inspires about Europe?

00:49:40: What inspires you about Germany France... You

00:49:44: know I've seen a couple days ago.

00:49:46: it came across here nearby.

00:49:50: It comes from Maestro Gergiev So, and we had a chat for about half an hour.

00:49:59: He's quite a busy man

00:50:01: was the great men

00:50:02: he is.

00:50:03: he's a genius Yeah And he used to be an unthinkable part of The European culture.

00:50:10: mm-hmm you would have spent more time in Europe than here in Russia although he never neglected Russian small towns and he still continues to give concerts in russian small towns, villages.

00:50:24: And then is unbelievable with his efforts.

00:50:27: So they told me that you know I have all my european friends With me.

00:50:35: we call each other every day but They cannot afford Inviting me to Vienna opera because next day will be fired.

00:50:48: so The good, warm very sophisticated Europe is still there.

00:50:56: But it's under a huge pressure of modern generation politicians.

00:51:04: so we sincerely wish Europeans to get in new generations of wiser politicians and you're generation off the goals in your generations of chancellor called And so on and so forth.

00:51:21: Thank you very much Mr Pesko for this conversation, thanks a lot!