Neutral and Non-Nuclear Status for Ukraine Is a Condition for Peace Deal: Medvedev

Dragon Media News Desk

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has said that a long-term political settlement in Ukraine would require the country to adopt a neutral, non-nuclear and independent status. He said Ukraine would also have to abandon its nationalist policy course and recognize the four regions Russia has incorporated into its territory.

In an interview with Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB on Saturday, Medvedev said meeting these conditions could provide a basis for a diplomatic settlement. Otherwise, he warned, Russia would achieve its objectives by military means.

Medvedev said Europe’s perception of Russia as a threat showed that it had to recognize Russia as a power. According to him, Russia wants only peaceful cooperation and normal dialogue with the West. He accused European leaders of using the alleged “Russian threat” to influence public opinion, win votes in elections and increase military budgets.

Medvedev claimed that more than 33,000 sanctions had been imposed on Russia and said Russia and Iran, both facing sanctions, should seek ways to cooperate in the financial sector. He also said Europe had ended its economic ties with Russia and was now facing the consequences.

Describing the security situation in the Middle East as “extremely poor,” Medvedev claimed that efforts to change Iran’s political system by force had prompted more countries to consider acquiring nuclear weapons. He called US policy reckless. He said Iran played an important role in ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz because of its geographical position and the relevant principles of international law.

Medvedev said the conflict in the Middle East had exposed global dissatisfaction with unipolar decision-making and the “rules-based order” promoted by Western countries. He argued that the world should move towards multipolarity, with the views of all countries taken into account.

Describing Russia-Iran relations as having reached unprecedented heights, Medvedev said the two countries were developing joint activities in the defence sector.