**Russia’s Medvedev Warns of Preemptive Strikes if West Escalates Ukraine War**
In a stark warning to the West, Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev has said that his country must be ready to strike back if NATO or Western powers escalate the conflict in Ukraine. Speaking on Thursday, Medvedev emphasized that Russia had no plans to attack NATO, but made it clear that Moscow would respond with force if pushed further.
Medvedev’s comments come as tensions between Russia and the West have escalated following U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for a peace deal within 50 days. Both sides have repeatedly cautioned over the risks of escalation, with both Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Trump viewing the war in Ukraine as a proxy conflict between the world’s two biggest nuclear powers.
**A Threat or a Message?**
Medvedev’s remarks were seen as a stern warning to the West that Moscow would not back down if pushed further. He dismissed repeated claims by NATO and Western European officials that Russia would one day attack a member of the alliance, calling such statements “complete nonsense”. Instead, Medvedev accused Western powers of intentionally seeking to ratchet up tensions.
“We need to act accordingly,” Medvedev said. “To respond in full. And if necessary, launch preemptive strikes.” His comments give an indication of thinking among some within Russia’s political elite, and have sparked concerns that the conflict in Ukraine could escalate further.
**A Proxy War**
The war in Ukraine has become a highly emotive issue for both sides, with many viewing it as a proxy conflict between Russia and the West. The United States says over 1.2 million people have been injured or killed in the conflict, Europe’s deadliest since World War Two.
Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to end the war, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was still analysing Trump’s threat to slap 100% secondary sanctions on Russian exports unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days. Putin is believed to intend to keep fighting in Ukraine until the West engages on his terms for peace.
**A Nuclear Powerhouse**
The conflict in Ukraine has raised concerns about the use of nuclear power, with Russia and the United States holding around 87% of all nuclear weapons globally. China, France, Britain, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea also possess nuclear capabilities, making the prospect of a wider conflict increasingly worrying.
Medvedev described the war in Ukraine as “another attempt to destroy the ‘historical anomaly’ hated by the West – Russia, our country.” His comments give an indication that Moscow sees itself as under attack from Western powers, with many believing that Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are at stake.
**A Complex Issue**
The conflict in Ukraine is a complex issue, with multiple parties involved. As tensions escalate, it remains to be seen whether the West and Russia can find a way forward without further escalation. One thing is clear: if Russia feels pushed further, they will not hesitate to respond with force.
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