Elena Teslova
21 April 2026•Update: 21 April 2026
As the race for the UN secretary-general gears up, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia has a very positive opinion of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, who is among the candidates.
Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov noted that there are other candidates as well, and many countries are currently conducting quite intensive consultations regarding the nomination process.
"We know many potential candidates, and we know Mr. Grossi from a very positive side. We are in constant contact on IAEA matters, especially since more and more issues related to the IAEA are falling into critical and problematic zones, including in the context of the war in Iran," he said.
According to him, all sides will now engage in "very, very complex consultations" regarding the UN secretary-general election, noting, "Of course, we will take part in them," the Kremlin spokesman emphasized.
In response to a question about the prospects of resuming supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, Peskov said Russia is ready to resume oil transit via this route.
"Everything depends on the Kyiv regime—whether they will open the pipeline and stop their blackmail," according to him.
Answering a question about the possible conduct of Franco-Polish nuclear exercises, Peskov said that this demonstrates Europe's desire for further militarization and nuclearization.
"We need to look into the details—what kind of weapons are being discussed and in which countries—but, undoubtedly, this once again, perhaps, demonstrates Europe's aspiration toward further militarization and nuclearization in terms of nuclear weapons," he said.
The official added that such actions do not contribute to stability and predictability on the European continent.
Earlier, the media reported that French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had discussed conducting joint nuclear exercises.
