Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev stated that if Russia stops its special military operation in Ukraine without achieving victory, Russia will no longer exist and will be torn apart. This was mentioned in a post on Medvedev's official Telegram channel, where he wrote: "Yesterday, there was a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin before the Federal Assembly, in which he mentioned, among other things, our suspension of participation in the 'START-3' treaty, a decision long awaited, which I indicated was inevitable last year. This decision was driven by the war declared by the United States and NATO countries against our country. This decision will resonate globally, particularly in the United States."
Medvedev continued, saying: "After all, the mantra of the American ruling establishment has been: 'We will harm you everywhere and in everything, we will supply the Kyiv regime with vast amounts of weapons, we will work to defeat Russia, and we will restrain and destroy you.' However, strategic security is a separate issue, not tied to the overall context of U.S.-Russia relations, it serves as a sacred cow." He added, "This conclusion is the worst crime, a grave mistake by the Americans, a mistake stemming from megalomania, their sense of superiority and perpetual ability to evade punishment. After all, it has become clear to all balanced powers that if the United States wishes to defeat Russia, we have the right to defend ourselves with any weapons, including nuclear weapons. As Vladimir Putin rightly stated: 'It is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield.'"
