Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned that in the event of a full-scale war between Russia and NATO, Moscow would be compelled to mobilize its nuclear arsenal.
However, he emphasized that Russia is not seeking a conflict with the U.S.-led military bloc. Medvedev conveyed these views in a Telegram post on Wednesday, where he serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council. He countered statements from various Western leaders advocating for their nations to ready themselves for a potential confrontation with Moscow.
Medvedev highlighted that Russia has consistently stated its lack of intention to engage in conflict with NATO and the E.U., despite ongoing dangerous rhetoric on the subject. He suggested that this narrative aims to divert attention from significant expenditures on aid for Ukraine, a strategy he believes many Western citizens are becoming weary of.
Medvedev argued that this weariness stems from Western leaders’ prioritization of assisting “a dying country that is foreign to taxpayers” while neglecting domestic social issues. He asserted, “Therefore, every day the leaders of these countries broadcast: we need to prepare for war with Russia and continue to help Ukraine.”
However, Medvedev cautioned that a potential Moscow-NATO conflict would be markedly distinct from the situation in Ukraine and would not involve conventional weaponry such as artillery, tanks and drones. He pointed out that the alliance boasts a combined population of nearly one billion individuals and defense expenditures totaling $1.5 trillion, rendering it significantly more powerful than Russia.
Ex-Russian president warns NATO of ‘Apocalypse’
The West should tell its citizens the 'bitter truth' about what would happen if the bloc clashes with Moscow, Dmitry Medvedev sayshttps://t.co/kd3U0gFSlQ pic.twitter.com/e48sUtCvvg
— RT (@RT_com) February 7, 2024
Russian officials have consistently stated that they have never issued threats regarding the use of nuclear weapons. However, they have emphasized that such weapons could be deployed if the very survival of the state were in jeopardy.
In December, President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow’s lack of interest in engaging in warfare against NATO, emphasizing that Russia has no geopolitical, economic or military incentive for such actions. Nevertheless, Russia contends that the expansion of the bloc toward its borders represents an existential threat.
