Putin's Close Ally Medvedev Warns "Third World War if NATO Members Invade Crimea"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council and a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, warned that if NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member countries invade the Crimean Peninsula, World War III could break out. With the NATO summit approaching, where joint responses to Russia and China and strengthening sanctions against Russia are expected to be discussed, this statement is interpreted as an attempt to pressure the West.

According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 28th (local time), Deputy Chairman Medvedev said in an interview that "the Crimean Peninsula is an eternal part of Russia" and strongly warned, "If NATO member countries invade the Crimean Peninsula, it means a conflict with the entire NATO organization, that is, the outbreak of World War III. This would be a complete disaster."

As the NATO summit starting today is expected to discuss responses to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and stronger sanctions against Russia, this statement is seen as a highly provocative remark aimed at pressuring Western leaders.

Deputy Chairman Medvedev emphasized, "Ukraine's accession to NATO poses a much greater threat to our national security than the accession of Finland or Sweden," adding, "We still have unresolved territorial disputes with Ukraine." From Russia's perspective, this is interpreted as a warning to the West that if Ukraine pursues the recovery of Crimean territory after joining NATO, it could escalate into World War III.

He also criticized Sweden and Finland's NATO membership. Medvedev said, "If Sweden and Finland join NATO, we will have no choice but to strengthen border security and prepare for retaliation," adding, "Retaliatory measures may include deploying Iskander hypersonic missiles near the borders of these two countries." Since Iskander missiles can be equipped with nuclear warheads, this statement is interpreted as part of a nuclear threat.

Regarding Lithuania's recent blockade of cargo transport to and from Russia's exclave Kaliningrad, Medvedev warned, "We do not rule out asymmetric responses, which could seriously escalate the conflict." He added, "Lithuania bears full responsibility for this incident but seems not to consider the consequences of its actions," and "The explanation that Lithuania is obediently following the European Union (EU) decision will not help at all."