Part 2/11:
Interestingly, Peskov's remarks have been met with considerable skepticism domestically, given Russia's own controversial actions in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin had previously issued warnings that allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory would significantly raise the stakes and could even signal a de facto war with NATO countries. The Kremlin's rhetoric suggests a narrative of victimization, ignoring the broader context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 which has drastically altered regional security dynamics.