Russia rejects arming commercial fleet despite Black Sea security threats

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has dismissed media reports suggesting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump may discuss a proposed air ceasefire in Ukraine, saying there is no concrete information to support the claims.

Speaking at a briefing on July 27, Peskov said reports of the potential initiative had surfaced several days earlier but remained unsubstantiated, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"At the moment, this is nothing more than media speculation. There are no concrete details on the matter," he said.

Peskov also declined to comment on Zelenskyy's assertion that Russia is considering deploying North Korean troops to participate in the war against Ukraine.

"I do not consider it necessary to comment on those remarks. It is not for Zelenskyy to speak about our plans," he said.

Separately, the Kremlin spokesman said Russia has no plans to arm its merchant vessels despite recent security concerns, stressing that international maritime law prohibits commercial ships from carrying weapons.

He added that while merchant ships would not be fitted with additional armaments, the Russian Navy could take measures to protect them if necessary.

Peskov was responding to remarks made by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said that any attempts to target Russia's merchant fleet should be met as decisively as acts of piracy.

By Aghakazim Guliyev