On Saturday, Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian Prime Minister and close confidant of President Vladimir Putin, issued a stark warning about the potential for nuclear action, emphasizing that such a decision would come with “irreversible consequences.”
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has heightened tensions between NATO countries and the Kremlin. NATO leaders have expressed increasing concerns about the likelihood of direct confrontation with Russia, particularly in light of repeated nuclear threats from Putin and other Russian officials since the escalation of the war in February 2022.
In a post on Telegram, Medvedev, who is now the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, remarked that while a nuclear response is complex, “you can only test someone’s patience for so long.” He described the matter as a significant decision that cannot be made lightly.
Medvedev continued, “It is evident that some Western analysts have suggested that while the Russians might not employ nuclear options, it remains a possible scenario. The thought of erasing a historic city like Kyiv is chilling.” His statements came amidst ongoing military assistance from the U.S. and other Western nations to Ukraine, including the provision of long-range ATACMS missiles.
Ukraine has been advocating for the U.S. and the U.K. to remove restrictions on using these missiles against Russian territory, despite fears that doing so could further escalate the conflict. Kyiv argues that these long-range weapons are essential for targeting Russian air bases that launch attacks from deep within Russia.
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When questioned about the possibility of lifting these restrictions, President Joe Biden indicated that the administration is still evaluating the matter. In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that decisions regarding the West’s restrictions have likely already been made, reflecting a high degree of certainty about the current situation.
Peskov warned that if Ukraine were to gain permission for attacks on Russian soil, Moscow would respond appropriately, although he noted that not every potential reaction would be widespread.
This isn’t the first time Medvedev has hinted at nuclear threats; he has a history of making controversial statements, including calls for nuclear action against NATO or remarks about the need to eliminate Ukrainian leadership. However, U.S. officials have commented that his statements are often just “standard Kremlin nonsense” and should not be taken too seriously.