Reports claiming that Russia plans to restore the Soviet Union’s spheres of influence do not correspond to reality, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Earlier, Reuters, citing US intelligence sources, had reported about alleged plans by Russian President Vladimir Putin to restore the Soviet empire, attack Eastern European countries, and reestablish the Soviet Union’s sphere of influence in Europe.

Journalists asked Peskov whether the Kremlin had seen that report and how he could comment on the aforesaid sources’ claims.

“Well, first of all, we do not know how reliable they are; that is the first [point]. We have indeed seen some isolated reports about this. But even if that corresponds to reality, it is one of those situations where intelligence makes some erroneous assessments, studies, and conclusions. This absolutely does not correspond to reality,” the Kremlin spokesperson responded.