A “hybrid war” between Moscow and Western powers linked to the conflict in Ukraine “will last a long time,” the Kremlin said on Wednesday, more than a year after sending troops against the neighboring country, Reuters and AFP reported, citing sources. from Agerpres.

“If we are talking about a war in a broader sense, about a confrontation with unfriendly, hostile countries, about this hybrid war against our country, then it will last a long time,” said the press secretary of the Kremlin Dmytro Peskov, answering the question of the press, how long what Russia calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine.

He also called on Russians to “unite around the president” Vladimir Putin.

“We must be decisive and self-confident and unite around the president,” Peskov said.

In February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also stated during a speech in the State Duma (the lower house of the Russian parliament) that “today the United States and its satellites are waging a total hybrid war against us, which they have prepared for many.” years, using Ukrainian extremist nationalists”.

Lavrov referred to the alleged “total hybrid war” declared by the West against Russia since May last year.

What the Kremlin conveyed to the Russian elites

But Peskov’s new comments came after Britain’s Guardian daily newspaper reported on Tuesday that members of Russia’s cultural and political elite would have frowned when he hinted at a party in December that the Kremlin’s war with the West would be “very long”. , for a very long time” and “things will become much more difficult”.

Some of the guests present prayed for the new year and expressed hope for peace and a return to normal life. But the atmosphere of hope was interrupted by Peskov.

“I think you were waiting for me to say something,” Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said as the party began.

“The matter will become much more complicated. It will take a very, very long time,” he continued, according to one of two people who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity about what was said at the meeting.

Peksov’s toast darkened the atmosphere, as many guests privately declared their opposition to the war in Ukraine.

“It was unpleasant to listen to his speech. It was clear that he warned that the war would remain with us and that we should prepare for a long journey,” said one of the guests The Guardian spoke to.

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