Medvedev claims Russia is on verge of global conflict and has right to "defend" itself with nuclear weapons

Medvedev wrote about this on Telegram.

According to him, Moscow has suspended its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty because of the war that the United States and NATO have allegedly declared against Russia.

"Yesterday, the Russian President delivered a message to the Federal Assembly, in which, among other things, he announced the suspension of our participation in New START. This is a long-overdue decision that was prompted by the war declared by the United States and other NATO countries against our country," Medvedev wrote.

He noted that Russia is allegedly on the verge of a global conflict and has the right to defend itself with any kind of weapons, including nuclear ones.  

"It is obvious to all reasonable forces that if the United States wants Russia to be defeated, we are on the verge of a global conflict. If the United States wants Russia to be defeated, then we have the right to defend ourselves with any weapons, including nuclear weapons," Medvedev said.

He also paraphrased the words of US President Joe Biden, who said on February 21 in Warsaw that Ukraine would cease to exist if it did not defend itself against Russia.   

"If Russia stops without achieving victory, there will be no Russia, it will be torn apart. If the United States stops supplying weapons, the war will end," Medvedev concluded.

• On January 21, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia suspends its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

• Putin also ordered the Russian military to prepare for nuclear weapons tests. 

• February 21, US President Joe Biden says that NATO will not stop supporting Ukraine, and that Putin's desire to acquire new land will not be realized.