Putin Ally Discusses Russia War With Europe

 Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed the idea that Russia wants a war with “frigid old Europe,” saying Moscow had nothing to gain from the continent, which he characterized as weak and in terminal decline.

Why It Matters

Medvedev is deputy chairman to President Vladimir Putin on the Kremlin’s Security Council, and is well known for his bellicose social media attacks on Russia’s rivals.

His latest comments come after tensions between Russia and U.S.-led NATO have escalated sharply in recent weeks particularly after NATO allies accused Russia of a series of serious violations of their airspace, and warned that they could shoot down intruding Russian aircraft.

Russia calls the allegations of airspace violations unfounded but nevertheless there is a growing risk of a direct clash between NATO and Russia in Europe.

What To Know

Medvedev, rather than his usual approach of playing up the chances of nuclear war, appeared to play down the possibility of conflict in this latest post on Telegram on Monday morning.

“In European countries, every outlet is broadcasting about a war with Russia in the next five years. There should be no such war. Why? Because it contradicts the interests of our country,” he said in his post, originally in Russian.

“Russia fundamentally does not need a war with anyone, including with frigid old Europe. There’s nothing to gain there,” he said, adding: “Europe’s economy is weak and dependent on the U.S., while its culture is ingloriously degrading. Europe is losing its identity, dissolving into aggressive migrants.”

He said Russia had “always come to Europe only as a liberator, not as a conqueror,” adding that a “vulnerable and divided” Europe is unprepared for a war with Russia, calling its citizens “inert and pampered,” and that they “don’t want to fight for any common ideals, or even for their own land.”

But he also warned that war remains possible.

“The risk of a fatal accident always exists. And the factor of hyperactive frozen-headed idiots hasn’t gone anywhere either. Such a conflict carries a very real risk of escalating into a war with weapons of mass destruction. That’s why we must stay alert,” Medvedev said.

What People Are Saying

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the U.N. General Assembly on September 27: “Any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response. There should be no doubt about this among those in NATO and the EU who…are telling their voters that war with Russia is inevitable.”

NATO said in a statement on September 23: “Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all directions. We will continue to respond in the manner, timing, and domain of our choosing. Our commitment to Article 5 is ironclad.”

What Happens Next

There are no immediate signs of tensions over Ukraine easing. Efforts to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war have stalled and President Donald Trump said on September 23 that he believes NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they violate NATO airspace.