By Andrew Osborn
LONDON (Reuters) – Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president, has warned that Moscow’s confrontation with the West will final many years and that its battle with Ukraine might turn out to be everlasting.
Medvedev, as soon as seen within the West as a liberal moderniser, has emerged as one in every of Russia’s most outspoken hawks since Moscow launched what it known as a “particular navy operation” in Ukraine final 12 months.
Now deputy head of the Safety Council, his views replicate a number of the considering on the Kremlin’s high stage, based on Russian officers.
In an article for the federal government’s Rossiiskaya Gazeta newspaper, he mentioned tensions between Russia and the West had been “a lot worse” than in the course of the 1962 Cuban missile disaster when the world teetered on the sting of a nuclear conflagration.
A nuclear struggle was “fairly possible” however was unlikely to have any winners, mentioned Medvedev, who has repeatedly mentioned Western assist for Ukraine will increase the possibilities of nuclear battle.
He cited sharp variations over Ukraine, the course of humankind, and the best way the world order was structured.
“One factor that politicians of all stripes don’t wish to admit: such an Apocalypse will not be solely doable, but in addition fairly possible,” wrote Medvedev.
Western analysts solid what they are saying is Medvedev’s “nuclear sabre-rattling” as a tactic aimed toward horrifying the West to cut back navy assist for Ukraine and to as a substitute lean on Kyiv to begin peace talks with Moscow.
Many international locations within the West, which say they’re serving to Ukraine defend itself from a brutal colonial struggle of conquest, have promised to face by Kyiv for so long as it takes.
America, Ukraine’s greatest monetary and navy backer, has mentioned it doesn’t wish to interact in a direct battle with Russia to keep away from the chance of a nuclear struggle.
Ukraine says it will not negotiate till it has pushed each Russian soldier from its territory.
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Medvedev mentioned Moscow was nonetheless dedicated to stopping Ukraine be part of NATO.
“Our aim is straightforward – to remove the specter of Ukraine’s membership in NATO. And we’ll obtain it. A technique or one other,” he mentioned.
Given NATO’s rule about not admitting international locations entangled in territorial conflicts, he mentioned the battle with Ukraine might turn out to be “everlasting” given its existential nature for Moscow.
The one solution to de-escalate tensions between Russia and the West was to enter into powerful negotiations, he mentioned.
“The confrontation will probably be very lengthy and it’s too late to tame the recalcitrants (i.e. us),” mentioned Medvedev. “The confrontation will final for many years.”
(Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Modifying by Man Faulconbridge and Frank Jack Daniel)