Russia’s former President Medvedev warns Western military aid for Ukraine risks sparking nuclear war between Russia and NATO
- Putin lackey Dmitry Medvedev: NATO help may spark ‘full-fledged nuclear war’
- Security Council vice-chair said ‘direct and open conflict’ with West remains risk
- NATO must stop ‘pumping weapons into Ukraine’, he wrote in fiery Telegram
- He also accused Western nations of ‘sending in mercenaries’ to fight for Ukraine
- Ex-President and PM slammed European leaders ‘squeaking their little voices’
- ‘The thesis that Russia frightens the world with nuclear conflict is being pushed’
- Medvedev’s statement follows news neutral neighbour Finland will join NATO
- And Japan’s PM said war ‘shakes the core of international order, including Asia’
NATO military support for Ukraine risks sparking nuclear war with Russia, Putin ally and ex-president Dmitry Medvedev warned.
In a fiery post to nearly one million Telegram users this morning, Medvedev wrote: ‘NATO countries pumping weapons into Ukraine, training troops to use western equipment, sending in mercenaries and the exercises of alliance countries near our borders increase the likelihood of a direct and open conflict between NATO and Russia.
‘Such a conflict always has the risk of turning into a full-fledged nuclear war.’
Now serving as deputy chairman of the influential Kremlin Security Council, Medvedev was President of Russia from 2008 to 2012 while Putin was term-limited.
Medvedev, pictured holding a Russian rifle, said NATO risks sparking ‘full-fledged nuclear war’
Putin (left) confers with Medvedev (right) at his famous Kremlin desk in January 2020, days before Medvedev relinquished the premiership and joined the President’s Security Council
Medvedev appointed Putin prime minister during that period. When Putin was allowed to become president once again, Medvedev stepped aside.
He took the premiership until 2020, at which point Putin nullified term limits and moved Medvedev to his current role.
Medvedev accused NATO countries of ‘sending in mercenaries’ to fight for Ukraine and intentionally playing up the prospect of nuclear war.
Medvedev (pictured in March) also slammed Europe’s leaders ‘squeaking their little voices’
His stormy post continued: ‘The endless talk by foreign analysts about a war between NATO and Russia continues unabated.
‘The cynicism of Western ‘talking heads’ is becoming more and more blatant.
‘The thesis that Russia frightens the world with a nuclear conflict is being pushed to the top of the agenda.
‘Even [Donald] Trump recently came out with this, though, understandably, just to spite [President] Biden.
‘And of course the Europeans are squeaking their little voices.’
The Security Council deputy chairman pictured at Putin’s subdued Victory Day parade, May 9
He also warned the West: ‘I want to articulate very clearly once again the things that are so obvious to all reasonable people. You don’t have to lie to yourself and others.
‘You just have to think about the possible consequences of your actions.
‘And don’t choke on your own saliva in paroxysms of Russophobia.’
Medvedev, 56, is one of three men alive whose finger has been on Moscow’s nuclear button.
The other two are Putin and ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Medvedev (picture date unknown) is one of three living Russians to have served as President
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has continued to falter as Kyiv forces make crucial gains around Kharkiv, close to the Russian border.
The striking statement came hours after the Finnish government confirmed it would apply to join NATO.
Alliance leader Jens Stoltenberg said Helsinki will be ‘welcomed with open arms’ and that its access would likely happen ‘quickly’.
Sweden’s government is set to announce whether it will table a NATO entry bid on Sunday.
Finnish leaders say country must apply to join NATO ‘without delay’
Finland’s president and prime minister have said the country must submit an application to join NATO within days, dramatically ramping up tensions between Russia and the West.
President Sauli Niinisto and prime minister Sanna Marin made a joint statement today saying they will join the security alliance ‘without delay’, despite Kremlin threats it would secure ‘the entire destruction’ of the country and ‘the most undesirable consequences’.
The decision is a spectacular backfire for Putin who invaded Ukraine in part through fears of NATO expansion, with the Western pact’s presence on Russia’s borders now set to double from 754 miles to 1,584 miles.
A special committee will announce Finland’s decision on a membership bid on Sunday although it could take until October before the country is formally admitted to the pact.
When asked what he would say to Russia, Niinisto replied: ‘You caused this. Look in the mirror.’
Sweden is expected to follow Finland with its own bid which could come as soon as next week, with a parliament debate on Monday followed by a special cabinet meeting where the formal decision to apply will be taken, Daily Expressen said.
The major policy shift which completely rewrites Europe’s post WWII alignment comes a day after Boris Johnson signed security pacts with Helsinki and Stockholm pledging Britain would come to their aid if they come under Russian attack.
In their statement today, Niinisto and Marin said: ‘Now that the moment of decision-making is near, we state our equal views, also for information to the parliamentary groups and parties.
‘NATO membership would strengthen Finland’s security. As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance.
‘Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay.
‘We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.’
Finland, which shares an 830-mile border and a difficult past with Russia, has previously remained outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to maintain friendly relations with its eastern neighbour.
Sweden is expected to imminently follow Finland with an application to join the Western military pact.
The Nordic nations have been rattled by Moscow’s war against its pro-Western neighbour, which has bolstered domestic support for joining the alliance – and the security that membership would provide.
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