INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Kremlin on Friday criticized what it called the European Union's "confrontational rhetoric" after the bloc's leaders agreed to a huge
increase in defense spending amid a drive to shore up support for Ukraine.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia is
closely monitoring the policy shift in the EU, which he said is "actively discussing militarization" and "positioning Russia as the main
enemy."That stance, he warned, could become a "topic of deep concern" for Russia and might necessitate "appropriate retaliatory measures,"
though he did not specify what those could be.Peskov added that the EU's "confrontational rhetoric and confrontational analysis" were at
odds with efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.Separately, the Kremlin dismissed U.S
President Donald Trump's recent calls for nuclear disarmament talks with Russia, stating that no such discussions have taken place between
Moscow and Washington.However, Peskov said European nuclear stockpiles should be a key consideration in any future negotiations.
