The ex-president of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, threw down the gauntlet, claiming that Moscow’s foes now face a “new reality” following the formal announcement from the Kremlin that it has exited the treaty that restricted short- and medium-range nuclear missiles.
Currently serving as deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, Medvedev has built a reputation for his dramatic social media warnings, a tactic that followed a standoff last week which led President Trump to send two nuclear submarines back into action.
This latest declaration from Medvedev surfaced right after the Russian Foreign Ministry clarified that the nation would no longer adhere to the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, known as the INF. This agreement once kept both Washington and Moscow from deploying ground-based missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (approximately 311 to 3,418 miles). The move is notably timed ahead of Trump’s ultimatum expiration, urging Russia to facilitate a ceasefire or prepare for further tariffs.
The INF pact has long been considered outdated. The U.S. has accused Russia of breaching the agreement for years and even withdrew from it back in 2019. Throughout its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia has not concealed its use of missiles that the treaty was meant to regulate.
On Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared its intention to cease efforts toward restraint in missile deployment, pointing a finger at the U.S.’s move to place similar weapon systems across Europe and Asia.
Furthermore, Russia has stated, “we no longer see ourselves as bound by the self-restrictions previously established.” Medvedev attributed the INF withdrawal to the “anti-Russian policy of NATO countries,” alluding to a narrative that the Western military block is encroaching upon Russian sovereignty. He declared, “This is a new reality that will force our opponents to adjust. Stay tuned for further actions.”
NBC News reached out to NATO to gain insight on the situation.
Last week, Medvedev also found himself in an online debate with Trump.
During a visit to Scotland, Trump significantly shortened his deadline for Russia to halt hostilities from 50 days to a margin of just 10 to 12 days. Medvedev hit back, asserting, “Every new ultimatum is both a threat and a march toward war” between Russia and the United States.
This led Trump to react by ordering the deployment of two nuclear submarines to potentially strategic locations, remarking that such extreme rhetoric needed to be met with preparedness.
This digital sparring matches Russia’s continued and slow advances on the eastern front, where Ukrainian citizens faced another arduous night filled with Russian drone strikes, missile bombardments, and artillery shelling in areas like Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Sumy, Kherson, and Donetsk. Officials have reported at least 15 civilians lost their lives over the past day.
President Zelenskyy of Ukraine showed gratitude towards Trump for increasing pressure on the Kremlin. In his nightly address, he stated, “Russia is prolonging the war against Ukraine solely because it has the financial means to do so. Every sanction that constrains Russia edges us closer to peace, every weapon strengthening Ukraine advances peace, and every political move isolating Russia fosters peace.”
Expert on Russian affairs, Mark Galeotti, cautioned against overinterpreting Medvedev’s comments. He remarked, “Medvedev nowadays operates like a professional troll. Trying to extract too much meaning from his varied announcements is likely a futile endeavor. At times, I wonder if his statements are intentionally crafted to ensnare us in confusion while we try to decipher them!”
This content first appeared on NBCNews.com
