Official Acknowledgment of Full-Scale Conflict
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has conceded that Russia is no longer engaged in what it calls a "Special Military Operation" against Ukraine. In an interview with Die Weltwoche, he stated:
“This is no longer an operation. It is a full-scale war” – Dmitry Peskov.Peskov also outlined a condition for ending the war: the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from regions that Russia has annexed and their formal recognition as Russian territory.
Nuclear Threat Looms
Additionally, Peskov assured that Russia would never start a Third World War. However, he did not shy away from nuclear threats, suggesting that such weapons could be used if the existence of the Russian state is endangered.
“The war would end the next day” – Dmitry Peskov.This underscores the gravity of the situation.
For context, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, explained that the Kremlin spokesman’s remarks are part of a deliberate information campaign to prepare Russians for a potential mobilization. “The most insane ideas,” Peskov said, commenting on possible speculation about Russia’s next moves. This shift in Kremlin rhetoric regarding the fighting in Ukraine highlights the seriousness of the regional situation.
Peskov’s statements reflect a change in how the conflict is perceived at the highest levels of Russian power. Admitting the war’s full-scale nature may signal that the Kremlin is grappling with new challenges and threats facing Russia. At the same time, the conditions he laid out for ending the war underscore Moscow’s hardline stance on territories it claims as its own, complicating prospects for a peaceful resolution.
The recent admission by Dmitry Peskov marks a significant shift in the Kremlin's narrative regarding the ongoing conflict. This development comes alongside a series of demands made by the Kremlin to Europe, further escalating tensions. To understand the broader implications of these statements and the potential repercussions for international relations, you can read more about the demands issued by the Kremlin and the underlying threats involved.