In a stark warning, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president, has suggested that Poland's recent actions could spark World War III.
Medvedev's comments, published in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, point to Poland's military buildup and support for Ukraine as potential triggers for a direct confrontation with Russia and Belarus.
Medvedev, known for his outspoken criticism of Ukraine's allies, has previously stated that Russia could target NATO members aiding Ukraine.
His latest remarks warn that Poland's "reckless actions," if supported by NATO, could have "far-reaching dangerous consequences" globally, casting Poland in the role of a warmonger.
The former Russian Prime Minister also accuses Poland of seeking regional dominance by controlling territories between Warsaw and Moscow and criticizes the European Union's member states for their "poorly-concealed hatred" towards Poland.
Medvedev predicts that Poland's actions might not only destabilize the region but could also lead to a breakdown within the EU itself.