As tensions between Russia and the US escalate over Ukraine, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has labelled the United States an “enemy state”.
Peskov’s remarks follow allegations by former American intelligence officer Scott Ritter that he was barred from entering St. Petersburg and had his passport seized by Russian border officials.
In response, Peskov told reporters that the recent efforts to prevent Americans from engaging with Russia would only be justified if they were related to Ritter’s past intelligence work, otherwise, it’s just another example of the intense campaign aimed at isolating Russia, Hindustan Times reports.
“We are now an enemy country for them, just as they are for us,” he told reporters.
Contrary to Peskov’s recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his spokesperson have never publicly referred to the US or other “unfriendly” countries as enemies, according to Agentstvo, a reputable Russian investigative website.
Scott Ritter, a former US Marine Corps intelligence officer with a conviction for sex offences, claimed to TASS that he was removed from a New York-Istanbul flight en route to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia.
Ritter alleged that authorities provided no explanation for blocking his travel, citing compliance with US State Department orders.
However, a State Department spokesperson told Newsweek that they cannot disclose information about individual US citizens’ passport status without their consent.
“There are situations where a U.S. passport may be revoked. These include, but are not limited to, laws and regulations affecting passport usage by individuals with active warrants or criminal records, fraud concerns, tax debt, and child support arrears,” the spokesperson said.
Scott Ritter, a former US intelligence officer, has often been cited in Russian state media, parroting Kremlin talking points on the war in Ukraine.
However, the Kremlin’s rhetoric has escalated, with Peskov now labelling the US an “enemy” state, following President Biden’s authorisation for Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to target Russian territory.
Previously, the Kremlin had referred to the US and Western nations supporting Ukraine as “unfriendly states” or “opponents.”
Despite this, Peskov had earlier emphasised that Moscow harboured no anti-American sentiment, expressing optimism that the two nations would eventually recognize their peoples are not enemies. In contrast, Putin has framed Western elites as Russia’s true enemies, viewing Ukraine as a mere tool in their hands. This shift in language suggests a heightened tension and a more confrontational stance from the Kremlin.