Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev gave a sweeping speech on Monday in which he claimed that “Ukraine is definitely Russia” and launched an anti-Ukrainian rhetoric aimed at wiping the country off the map.
The former Russian president said: “Our geostrategic space has been indivisible since the era of the Old Russian State.” He said, displays a map showing the vast majority of Ukraine's territory that Russia has seized. “This concept must disappear forever. Ukraine is definitely Russia.”
Medvedev's map shows that the borders of other countries, including Poland and Romania, have also changed.
Word is hesitating former Comments from Medvedevwho has repeatedly said that he does not believe Ukraine should exist, accusing it of being just a “misconception” in the wake of the breakup of the Soviet Union and an unnecessary part of the world.
He said in his speech that Russia will not stop its war until Ukraine surrenders, adding that peace talks with Kiev are not on the table.
“Historic parts of the country need to come home. All our opponents must understand once and for all a simple truth: that the lands on both banks of the Dnipro River [which bisects Ukraine] It is an integral part of Russia's strategic and historical borders.
This aggressive rhetoric comes weeks after Medvedev threatened to use nuclear weapons against the United States and other Western allies, and just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons. nuclear weapons If NATO countries contribute troops to help defend Ukraine. These statements came after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that the allies might deploy forces in Ukraine.
He added: “They must understand that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory.” Putin said. “All of this really threatens conflict with nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilization. Don't they understand that?”
The hostile rhetoric coincides with a Russian media operation aimed at reducing Western support for Ukraine and hastening a Russian victory, according to the German Defense Minister. Russian state media reported a leaked audio recording purporting to show German officers discussing support for Ukraine And the possibility of providing long-range Taurus missiles to Kiev.
“It is a hybrid attack aimed at disinformation. It's about division. “It is about undermining our resolve,” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.
After more than two years of war, Ukraine still relies heavily on Western support to maintain its defense against Russia. But delays in approving more military aid on Capitol Hill are hampering Ukraine's defenses, according to Kiev.
In its first major loss since losing Bakhmut last year, Ukraine withdrew from Avdiivka last February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Pointing out a gap in the supply of artillery and long-range weapons and urging Western allies to increase support.
“Our actions are limited only by our strength,” Zelensky said. Dear friends, Unfortunately, keeping Ukraine in an artificial weapons deficit, especially in light of its artillery and long-range capabilities, allows Putin to adapt to the intensity of the current war.
Only during weekends, Zelensky It again blamed Allied delays in supplying air defenses for the deaths of 12 people in an attack in Odessa early this month.
“Delaying the supply of weapons to Ukraine and missile defense systems to protect our people unfortunately leads to such losses,” Zelensky said. “When lives are lost, and partners simply play internal political games or disputes that limit our defence, it is impossible to understand. It is unacceptable.”
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