Kremlin blames Poland's 'hostile attitude' for heightened security vigilance

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Poland's "hostile attitude" toward Belarus and Russia is a reason for increased security vigilance in both Minsk and Moscow.

Commenting on Poland's decision to shift troops on the border with Belarus, Peskov said at a press briefing in Moscow that such actions "provoke concern."

"The aggressiveness of Poland, the hostile attitude towards both Belarus and the Russian Federation, of course, is a reason for higher (security) vigilance," he said.

To a question about the Defense Ministry's announcement that ships traveling through the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports would be considered carriers of military cargo, Peskov said it was related to the expiration of the grain deal, not the recent attack on the Crimean Bridge.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that the decision will take effect at 00.00 local time (2100GMT) on Thursday and that it was made "in connection with the termination of the Black Sea (Grain) Initiative and the curtailment of the maritime humanitarian corridor."

When asked if Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa following his decision to skip the BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month, Peskov responded: "Yes, we are waiting for Mr. Ramaphosa in St. Petersburg. And, of course, as with other participants, there will be contacts with him on the sidelines of this summit."

Russia will host the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit in Saint-Petersburg, the northernmost city on the Baltic Sea, on July 27-28.

BRICS is a bloc of emerging economies, with its name coming from the first letters of the countries Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Despite the video format, the Kremlin spokesman said, Putin's participation in the BRICS summit will be "full-fledged," as he will deliver a speech and take part in discussions.

Concerning a request by a French journalist for help in obtaining Russian citizenship for foreign journalists working in the Donbas region, the spokesman said Russia is ready to consider the appeal.