Russia still deliberating on next moves on grain deal, says Kremlin

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia is still deliberating on its further actions regarding the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

"We still have a few days left. After further elaboration of these issues, we will inform you about the decision in a timely manner," Peskov said at a news conference in Moscow.

He agreed with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who said that “Westerners want the (Russia-Ukraine) war to continue.”

"I cannot but agree with that. It is so. The US pushes Ukraine to fight till the last Ukrainian," he said.

Peskov also condemned Ukraine's alleged attempt to attack Russia's Kursk nuclear power plant. "The enemy does not abandon attempts to carry out strikes," he said, adding that relevant measures are being taken.

He said that Russian authorities are studying the legal status of private military companies like Wagner.

About media reports, claiming the Russian government toughens the rules for the exit of foreign companies, the spokesman said it is a way to protect the country's national interests.

"Indeed, against the background of unprecedented aggressive actions against us in other countries, the government is taking measures to protect our economy and our companies. This is how you need to consider such decisions," he said.

Peskov also called "unjust" the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision not to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes to the international competition in Paris in 2024.

Russia will continue to defend the rights of its athletes, including in contact with the IOC, he said.

On criticism of the bill prohibiting gender change, which the Russian lawmakers passed on Friday, Peskov said that concerns are "exaggerated."