Medvedev is pleasing Kremlin: military expert comments on calls to destroy Ukraine

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"Medvedev is a man without a position. Dmitry Medvedev was appointed deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council before it was legally established. That is, he was appointed before the position was created. The entire power vertical of the Kremlin remembers this, and constantly emphasises it. Nobody takes Medvedev's words seriously at all. Because Medvedev needs to  show that he is still alive," Stupak explained.

According to the military expert, one should not compare Medvedev's posts with the Kremlin's central line. He can say whatever he wants.

"If Medvedev did not make statements, he would have no reason to appear in the media. The Kremlin likes this, but he is not respected there. Even his inner circle has been leaked at Putin's whim. He has no team, his secretary is an FSB person. With such posts, Medvedev pleases the Kremlin, and everyone likes it, but it doesn't affect anything," Stupak said.

• Medvedev said that the very fact of Ukraine's existence, regardless of its political regime, is the reason for the war.
• The Institute for the Study of War writes that the statement by Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev on the elimination of Ukrainian statehood shows that the Kremlin is not interested in negotiating with Kyiv in good faith.