Kremlin denies reports of planned NATO attack and disputes frozen assets seizure

On August 27, 2026, the Kremlin officially denied media reports suggesting that Russia is planning an attack on a NATO member state. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed these claims as "horror stories" that have no connection to the reality or intentions of the Russian Federation. These allegations were linked to the recent visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow. Earlier in the day, the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) confirmed a "working meeting" took place with Ratcliffe, describing the discussions as focused on sensitive matters within their respective intelligence jurisdictions.

In addition to the security denial, the Kremlin announced plans to pursue legal action against the European Union. This move is aimed at stopping what Moscow characterizes as "illegal" schemes by the EU to utilize frozen Russian state assets to provide aid to Ukraine. Moscow describes these EU actions as an instance of ongoing aggression against the Russian state, marking a significant escalation in the legal and economic disputes between Russia and Western institutions.