Russia

EU needs Russia as ‘external enemy’ to collect more taxes — Kremlin

TASS English · 2026-08-30

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that European authorities are portraying Russia as an "external enemy" to justify increased taxes for defense spending, as they seek to build their own military identity after losing reliance on American security. • Why it matters: This assertion highlights the Kremlin's perspective on European defense strategies and suggests a growing tension between Russia and the EU, which could impact international relations and security dynamics in the region. • What to watch next: Monitor developments in EU defense policies and public sentiment regarding military spending, as well as any potential responses from Russia that could escalate tensions further.

EU needs Russia as ‘external enemy’ to collect more taxes — Kremlin Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that voters do not like thisMOSCOW, August 30. /TASS/. European authorities are trying to portray Russia as an "external enemy" in order to collect more taxes from their populations for their defense capabilities, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalist Pavel Zarubin. "Having lost their very cheap American security umbrella, Europeans are now building their own defense identity. This costs a great deal of money. To do so, they must take their taxpayers out of their comfort zones by forcing them to pay significantly more in higher rent, taxes, electricity, and gasoline," he explained. The spokesman noted that voters do not like this. "How do you convince voters? By inventing an enemy. What kind of enemy is most convincing? A big one, a large, powerful one," Peskov emphasized. 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Source: TASS English
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