Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced this Thursday that Russia should “disappear” from Ukraine and NATO, in response to the military alliance’s promise to eventually grant Ukraine membership. Medvedev’s statements were made public through a post on social media.
In English, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council quoted NATO’s statement at its summit in Washington: “We will continue to support Ukraine on its irreversible path to Euro-Atlantic integration, including membership in NATO.” Then he said in Russian: “The result is obvious. We must do everything we can to end Ukraine’s ‘irreversible path’ to NATO, and to ensure that Russia either disappears from Ukraine or NATO. Or better yet – both missing.
During his presidency from 2008 to 2012, Medvedev was seen as a pro-Western modernizer. However, since the start of the war in Ukraine, which Moscow describes as a “special military operation”, Medvedev has reinvented himself as a staunch supporter of an aggressive stance.
Medvedev has repeatedly warned the US and its allies that arming Kiev could lead to a “nuclear catastrophe”. While any decision on the use of Russian nuclear weapons rests with President Vladimir Putin, diplomats say the comments by Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, reflect serious thinking at the top of the Kremlin. An existential struggle with the West.
Medvedev’s statements come at a time of growing tensions between Russia and the West, exacerbated by NATO’s continued military support for Ukraine. Ukraine’s promise to eventually join NATO is seen by Moscow as a direct threat to its security.
Medvedev’s stance underscores the Kremlin’s determination to block NATO expansion into Ukraine, even if it involves extreme measures. This aggressive rhetoric raises concerns about the possibility of escalating the conflict, including the use of nuclear weapons.
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