Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has issued a stark warning regarding Ukraine's potential membership in NATO, describing it as a de facto declaration of war against Moscow.
An Irreversible Path
According to Digi24 Medvedev, now serving as the Vice Chairman of the Russian Security Council, emphasized that only NATO's prudence could prevent a scenario that might lead to global catastrophe, as reported by Kyiv Independent.
During last week's NATO summit, alliance leaders pledged support for Ukraine's "irreversible path towards full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership," though without specifying a timeline. Medvedev, a key figure within the Kremlin, spoke to Argumenty i Fakty, stressing that Ukraine's accession to NATO posed more than a direct threat to Moscow's security.
"It would essentially be a declaration of war – albeit delayed," Medvedev asserted. "The actions taken for years by Russia's opponents, expanding the Alliance... have pushed NATO to a point of no return."
Not a Threat to NATO
He reiterated Russia's stance, echoing sentiments dating back to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, that Russia does not threaten NATO but will respond to its attempts to advance interests.
"The more such attempts multiply, the harsher our responses will become. Whether this fractures the entire planet depends solely on NATO's prudence," Medvedev warned.
He also dismissed any expectation of change with Mark Rutte assuming NATO leadership, asserting, "For Russia, nothing changes, as key decisions are not made by NATO member states but by one country – the United States."
