Putin's ranting ally Dmitry Medvedev threatens the West with nuclear war if ... trends now
The Kremlin has doubled down on a threat made by Vladimir Putin's close ally Dmitry Medvedev, who said the defeat of Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine could trigger a nuclear war with the West.
Following up on his warning on Thursday, Moscow confirmed his incendiary remarks were in full accordance with Russia's nuclear doctrine.
The former Russian president appeared to be warning NATO leaders to halt supplies of major new arms to Kyiv, as Western allies meet at the Ramstein Air Base Germany on Friday with the focus on whether Berlin will allow its Leopard 2 battle tanks to be supplied to Kyiv to help drive out Russian forces.
'Tomorrow at the Ramstein base in [Germany], the great military leaders will discuss new tactics and strategy, as well as deliveries of new heavy weapons and strike systems to Ukraine,' Medvedev said.
Vladimir Putin's ally Dmitry Medvedev has threatened the West with nuclear war in Ukraine beats Russia on the battlefield. Pictured: A Sartmat ICBM test is seen in Russian footage (file)
The former Russian president, now deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council (pictured centre on January 10 inspecting a military repair plant in Saint Petersburg) appeared to be warning NATO leaders to halt supplies of major new arms to Kyiv
'And this is right after the Davos Forum, where underdeveloped [Western] political party goers repeat like a mantra: "To achieve peace, Russia must lose".'
If Russia loses, it would trigger nuclear war, said Medvedev, who as Russian president from 2008 to 2012 once had his finger on the Kremlin's nuclear trigger.
He strongly implied the fate of his boss Putin, and that of Russia's, depends on the Russian despot not being defeated in the bloody war he launched 11 months ago.
'It doesn't occur to any of the wretches to draw the following elementary conclusion: That the loss of a nuclear power in a conventional war could provoke a nuclear war.
'Nuclear powers have not lost major conflicts on which their fate depends. And this should be obvious to anyone.
'Even a Western politician with any trace of intelligence.'
Medvedev stepped into Putin's shoes as President in 2008 for a four-year term, while Putin became the Russian Prime Minister for that time. The move was seen as largely symbolic, with Putin maintaining ultimate power.
When he first became president in 2008, he promised to modernise and liberalise Russia, and often spoke of his love of tech gadgets and of blogging. He even visited California and was given a brand new iPhone 4 from Apple founder Steve Jobs.
But he has since rebooted his political persona, and now frequently embarks on tirades on the Telegram messaging app to he followers about Russia's place in the world, and his hatred of the West.
Observers have said his new persona is a desperate attempt to retain relevance in Moscow's political circles, which have become significantly darker since he left the presidency and Putin reclaimed the top job in the Kremlin.
Meanwhile, there have been rumours of Medvedev's increasing alcohol consumption, with Putin telling him to resign as Prime Minister, instead handing him the token job as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council - which, as with many other political organisation in Moscow, Putin has ultimate control over.
Now, some analysts see Medvedev as positioning himself for a new run at the Kremlin presidency if Putin is forced out by ill health or through dissatisfaction.
Medvedev recently threatened to jail Russian arms manufacturer bosses who failed to deliver missiles
