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He believes the West is practically waging a full-scale war against Russia.
He believes the West is practically waging a full-scale war against Russia.
What is happening?
In a stark warning on Thursday, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev claimed the West is no longer just opposing Russia through proxies but is effectively engaged in a full-scale war.
“We need to act accordingly”
Speaking to state news agency TASS, Medvedev argued that Moscow “needs to act accordingly” —up to and including preemptive military strikes.
From Modernizer to Hardline Hawk
Once viewed as a moderate reformer during his presidency from 2008 to 2012, Medvedev has since reinvented himself as one of the Kremlin’s most hawkish voices.
Now serving as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, he frequently issues bellicose statements that reflect a growing anti-Western sentiment among segments of Russia’s political elite.
Western Actions Framed as Military Aggression
Medvedev pointed to Western military aid to Ukraine, satellite surveillance, and sweeping sanctions as evidence of active aggression.
“This is a proxy war in form, but in essence a full-scale war,” he said.
He accused the West of trying to erase what it sees as a “historical anomaly”—Russia’s global influence.
Preemptive Strikes on the Table
The former president insisted Russia must escalate its response, even suggesting that launching preemptive attacks might be necessary.
He went further, accusing Western leaders of harboring “treachery in their blood” and clinging to outdated notions of superiority.
NATO Casts Russia as Growing Threat
While Medvedev accuses the West of hostility, NATO continues to brand Russia as a significant threat.
Many Western leaders, especially in Europe, warn that Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine could be a precursor to future aggression—even against NATO members.
Kremlin Rejects NATO Concerns as “Nonsense”
Medvedev dismissed suggestions that Russia could attack NATO as absurd.
“These statements are complete rubbish,” he said, noting that President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied such intentions.
He claimed the West is using these narratives to fan fears and destabilize global politics.
The Information War: Medvedev’s View
According to Medvedev, Western leaders are spreading misinformation to amplify tensions.
“This nonsense is being deliberately thrown into the information space,” he said, accusing Western governments of weaponizing the media in what he calls another front in their “open war” against Russia.
Russia’s Place Among Nuclear Superpowers
With tensions high, Medvedev’s comments serve as a chilling reminder of the stakes.
Russia and the US together control roughly 87% of the world’s nuclear arsenal, according to the Federation of American Scientists.
Strategic Messaging or Dangerous Escalation?
Diplomats note that while Medvedev is not directly in command, his words often mirror the more hardline views circulating within Russia’s upper echelons
