Medvedev warns Europe of the nuclear danger of war with Russia

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned on Monday that Europe cannot afford a war with Russia, but if its leaders were to trigger one, it could spiral into a conflict involving weapons of mass destruction.

Writing on Telegram, Medvedev — now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council — said Moscow has no desire for such a confrontation, including with what he described as “frigid old Europe.” He claimed that European powers “simply cannot afford a war with Russia,” warning of the “risk of a fatal accident” that could tip events out of control.

Medvedev’s remarks come amidst heightened tensions between Moscow and NATO countries over the war in Ukraine, with Western leaders pledging further military support to Kyiv, including long-range missiles capable of striking deep inside Russian territory.

The Kremlin has repeatedly accused the West of pushing the world closer to a direct clash, while Medvedev in particular has used stark language to caution against what he frames as reckless escalation.

He added that such a conflict carries a very real danger of escalating into a war fought with weapons of mass destruction — rhetoric consistent with Moscow’s attempts to deter deeper Western involvement.

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