Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Germany and France are complicating the peace process in Ukraine, Kommersant reports.

Moscow expects the second round of Moscow-Kyiv talks to be held despite the provocative actions of the Europeans, Peskov assured.

“In this case, we see how Germany is competing with France for the ‘priority’ of further provoking the war. All these actions, of course, hinder peace efforts,” Peskov said.

After Wednesday’s talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Berlin will help Kyiv develop new long-range weapons that will be able to hit targets in Russia.