Medvedev rejects claims Russia might attack Europe

Reuters
Reuters

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday that while Russia has no plans to attack NATO or Europe, it will respond fully and potentially with pre-emptive strikes – if the West escalates the Ukraine conflict. That’s according to state TASS news agency.

“We need to act accordingly. To respond in full. And if necessary, launch pre-emptive strikes,” Medvedev said.


"What is happening today is a proxy war, but in essence it is a full-scale war (launches of Western missiles, satellite intelligence, etc.), sanctions packages, loud statements about the militarisation of Europe," he added, according to TASS.


Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, also dismissed Western claims that Russia might attack Europe as "complete rubbish," accusing Western officials of deliberately stoking tensions. 


The Kremlin acknowledged Medvedev’s statements as his personal opinion but agreed that tensions were high. 


Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was reviewing U.S. threats of harsher sanctions. 


Medvedev’s remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened severe trade restrictions on Russia unless a peace deal with Ukraine is reached within 50 days. Trump also announced that NATO allies had agreed to send additional weapons to Kyiv including Patriot missiles.

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