The ‘completely mad West’ risks a third world war by supporting Ukraine, the former Russian president has claimed.
Dmitry Medvedev, now Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a Putin ally, said ‘World War III’ was ‘fast approaching’ and the Russian invasion of Ukraine would ‘continue’.
It comes as a ‘long term’ security package for Ukraine to help ‘end the war’ will be announced by G7 countries at today’s NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Mr Medvedev said: ‘The completely mad West has failed to invent anything else. In fact, it is a dead end.
‘World War III is approaching. What does all this mean for us? Everything is obvious. The special military operation will continue with the same goals.’
Dmitry Medvedev (left), now Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a Putin ally, said ‘World War III’ was ‘fast approaching’ and the Russian invasion of Ukraine would ‘continue’
Mr Medvedev said: ‘The completely mad West has failed to invent anything else. In fact, it is a dead end’. Pictured: A Russian Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile
In a statement which echoed by the White House, the UK Government said: ‘The joint declaration, expected to be signed by all members of the G7, will set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack.’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added: ‘As Ukraine makes strategic progress in their counteroffensive, and the degradation of Russian forces begins to infect Putin’s front line, we are stepping up our formal arrangements to protect Ukraine for the long term.’
But Zelensky blew up the early professions of unity at the NATO summit on Tuesday after he blasted allies for failing to set a firm timeline for his country to join the alliance.
He issued his complaints on Twitter after saying Ukraine would be ‘represented’ at the summit – amid indications that he would meet with President Joe Biden here, saying the presence would be about ‘respect.’
‘But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine.
‘Abusrd’: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement blasting NATO for refusing to commit to a timeline for his country joining. President Biden said days earlier Ukraine wasn’t ‘ready’ to join
‘And I would like to emphasize that this wording is about the invitation to become NATO member, not about Ukraine’s membership,’ he said.
‘It’s unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine’s membership.
‘While at the same time vague wording about “conditions” is added even for inviting Ukraine,’ Zelensky said.
‘This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine’s membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia,’ he said. ‘And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror.’
Last week, Mr Medvedev claimed the West must stop opposing Russia’s aggression in Ukraine – or face nuclear war, epidemics and famine which could wipe out millions.
He said Putin would not accept any solution short of total defeat or the ‘annihilation’ of democratic Ukraine.
Last week, Mr Medvedev claimed the West must stop opposing Russia ‘s aggression in Ukraine – or face nuclear war , epidemics and famine which could wipe out millions
He said Putin would not accept any solution short of total defeat or the ‘annihilation’ of democratic Ukraine
‘You don’t have to be a visionary to understand that the confrontation phase will be very long,’ said Medvedev, who is now deputy head of 70-year-old Putin’s security council.
‘The confrontation will last for decades. One way to resolve it is the third world war. But it is obviously bad, because the victors are not at all guaranteed further prosperity, as was the case after previous world wars. Most likely, there will simply be no winners.
He also called for Russia to suspend diplomatic relations with the UK and other countries who are siding with Kyiv.
‘It would be better to temporarily suspend diplomatic relations with Finland and similar countries (such as Poland, the Baltic states and, of course, the UK), or at least downgrade their level for a while.’
Medvedev, 57, is seeking to position himself to return to the Kremlin if Putin falters or is too ill to continue in power.
Medvedev was president of Russia from 2008 to 2012, and was also the country’s longest-serving post-Communist prime minister.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk