The former Russian president has lashed out at German politician Friedrich Merz for saying he would threaten Moscow if elected chancellor
Certain politicians in the EU appear to be intent on triggering a full-blown war with Russia on their territory, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev claimed on Tuesday.
The comments came after German lawmaker Friedrich Merz – leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and a contender to become the next chancellor – said he would back an ultimatum to Russia in which Ukraine would threaten to use long-range Western-supplied missiles unless Moscow agreed to a ceasefire.
The German politician previously accused current Chancellor Olaf Scholz of being too dovish on Russia, criticizing the embattled leader for refusing to supply air-launched Taurus missiles to Kiev.
Scholz has argued that such a move would make Germany a direct participant in the Ukraine conflict. In contrast, Merz has said that if elected chancellor, he intends to use the Kiev-requested weaponry as leverage with Moscow. He would deliver missiles within a week if Russia rejected Ukrainian demands, he told the Stern magazine in an interview last week.
Responding on Tuesday, Medvedev argued that the missiles would not change the course of the conflict, but instead would “increase by several times the risk of the conflict entering the most dangerous phase.”
“Generally speaking, it is surprising how eager the current generation of European politicians are in inviting war to their territory. Notably, to the obvious delight of the Americans and against the wishes of their own peoples,” added Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chair of the Russian Security Council.
Inflated egos have replaced the wisdom and experience that European politicians used to show, he claimed.
Moscow considers the Ukraine conflict to be a US-led proxy war against Russia, which the West intends to wage “to the last Ukrainian.” Kiev has long sought permission to deliver strikes with donated long-range weapons deep inside Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that his government will treat any such operation as a direct attack by the supplier of the arms involved.
Earlier this month, the German ruling coalition collapsed amid disagreements between member parties on future government spending. Scholz has called for a parliamentary vote of confidence in January. Depending on the outcome, he would either lead a minority government or call a snap general election.
