In the past, Russia has talked about a “military special operation”. Now a Kremlin spokesman claims that the special operation turned into a war because of Western interference.
Spokesperson for the Russian administration, the Kremlin Dmitry Peskov says that Russia is waging war against Ukraine.
– We are in a state of war. Yes, this started as a military special operation, but as soon as the collective West sided with Ukraine, this became a war for us, Peskov said.
In the past, the Russian government has not admitted that it is waging war in Ukraine, but has talked about a special military operation.
In Russia, it has been forbidden to call a war of aggression a war.
Director of the Alexander Institute of the University of Helsinki Markku Kangaspuro estimates that Peskov may be preparing the Russians with his statement for a motion.
– As long as we are talking about a special operation, it is officially not possible to launch a campaign and call up large reservists, Kangaspuro clarifies.
However, he points out that Peskov’s statement does not yet mean an official declaration of war. Besides, Peskov’s speech is not very new.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin has said before that Russia’s special operation has expanded into a war against the West. However, Putin has not expressed as directly that Russia is waging war in Ukraine, Kangaspuro states.
In any case, more direct talk about the war may portend that Russia is preparing for the next big step in Ukraine.
Kangaspuro emphasizes that the coming months are important for both Ukraine’s and Russia’s frontline progress.
– Will Ukraine be able to stabilize the front line, and then, on the other hand, will Russia be able to bring so much additional investment that it would be capable of some kind of breakthrough, Kangaspuro sums up the spring situation.
According to Kangaspuro, one sign of a bigger step is Russia’s talk about the so-called “protection zone”. This refers to the territories belonging to Ukraine that Russia claims to have annexed.
Both Peskov and Putin have emphasized recently that Russia’s goal is to conquer these areas completely.
– Russia will definitely need additional troops for that, if it intends to do it, says Kangaspuro.
Sources: AFP, Reuters
Completed with Kangaspuro’s comments on March 22, 2024 at 1:10 p.m.