MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the "gang" in Kiev are part of the same corruption schemes, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

She noted that the EU has firmly embarked on a path of confrontation with Russia, which will only worsen its problems.

TASS has compiled the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman's key statements.

Ukraine is so deeply mired in corruption that there's little Zelensky can now do to conceal the true scale of the problem: "Ukraine is so deeply mired in corruption that the full extent of the problem can no longer be concealed. Zelensky's efforts to control the flow of information have done little to hide it, leaving only one mainstream television broadcaster while blocking other television news sources."

"Merz and this entire gang, of course, are part of all these corruption schemes. And he is coming [to Kiev] in part to discuss how the money will be distributed after being funneled through the Kiev regime."

Merz made German taxpayers cover the cost by promising Zelensky a new military aid package worth about €1 billion during his visit to Kiev: "These political bankrupts in Berlin have made German taxpayers cover the cost. They had just received concrete results of their policies. They realized that their own citizens not only do not support their policies in their own country, but are demonstrating their absolute rejection of them."

"It seems that Merz is once again emptying his own citizens' pockets, almost as if in retaliation. He is doing so despite their clear understanding of how futile Zelensky's efforts are."

The current German authorities need war, and Merz's actions prove it.

Russia will continue working through international forums to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the Nord Stream explosions: "We will continue our efforts, including through international forums, to identify and hold accountable not only the perpetrators but also the true masterminds behind this unprecedented terrorist attack."

Moscow views the possible deployment of additional NATO forces in the Baltic states as an escalation: "We unequivocally view the potential deployment of additional NATO forces, including US troops, and the creation of corresponding military infrastructure in the Baltic states as an escalation."

"The more problems the EU faces because of its own mistakes and miscalculations in its hybrid war against Russia, the more incredible and large-scale plans it attributes to Russia. It accuses Russia of having plans that do not, in fact, exist."

The EU has firmly embarked on a path of confrontation with Russia, which will only worsen its problems: "The European Union embarked on a path of confrontation with our country, initially under pressure from the United States and then simply out of inertia. And this path will not allow it to resolve its pressing issues, indeed, it will never allow it to do so."

The EU leadership "deliberately and consciously chooses to ignore this simple truth."

Merz is coming to Kiev "both to improve his ratings and to escape his own citizens," as well as to avoid criticism and public discontent within Germany.

Moscow has no plans for an armed conflict with Western Europe, and Russia is not threatening anyone: "If Germany's top intelligence official is publicly voicing his own fantasies, that means Europe really is in great danger. Let me repeat just in case: Russia is not threatening anyone. The Russian president and foreign minister have repeatedly stated that Moscow has no plans for an armed conflict with Western Europe."

Russia does not interfere in elections abroad, unlike Western countries: "There can be no question of Russian interference in electoral processes abroad. This is not our style. Western political elites openly interfere in election campaigns in full view of the world. At times, they even abduct presidents, put direct pressure on political groups in countries they are interested in, and, as I said, consider themselves free to do whatever they want."

Italian authorities' allegations of Russian interference in elections are disrespectful to Italians: "It is simply disrespectful to Italians to make such statements at the level of the foreign minister or any other minister, playing the so-called Russian card."

The situation in the Middle East requires urgent efforts to restore normalcy: "It is important to make urgent efforts to normalize the situation in the Middle East and restore full-scale shipping through the Strait of Hormuz."

Moscow is ready to help find compromises on the Strait of Hormuz: "Russia remains ready to help find compromises based on international law while considering the legitimate rights and interests of all parties involved. Our assets include trusting relations with all states in the region without exception."

Russia warned from the outset about the serious consequences of what it calls the unprovoked US and Israeli armed aggression against Iran. The warning focused on the threat it posed to food security in the world's most vulnerable countries: "We backed this issue with figures and facts. Russia has an interest in free, uninterrupted and safe navigation along international maritime routes."