Russia has issued a measured response to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent warning that Americans must “prepare for war” to ensure peace. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is also strengthening its military, but in a way that supports peace and diplomacy.
Peskov emphasized that Russia remains committed to peaceful resolutions of conflicts, including the Ukraine crisis, despite boosting its armed forces. He noted that the situation between Russia and the US is tense, but Moscow prefers diplomatic channels over conflict.
This response came after Hegseth’s speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico, where he stressed the importance of military readiness. Moscow’s calm reply suggests they see their own defense build-up as a counterbalance rather than an escalation.
