Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said that the United States can hardly be perceived as an effective mediator in international conflicts because of its actions on the global stage, writes "Reuters".
His statement, made during an educational forum, contrasts with the official Kremlin line, according to which Washington plays a useful role in attempts to find a peaceful solution to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
"It is difficult to believe that a country that kidnaps presidents and starts conflicts just like that can be an effective mediator in all situations," Medvedev said.
He was apparently referring to both the conflict with Iran and the operation of US special forces units ordered by President Donald Trump to detain Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
At the same time, Medvedev acknowledged that the Trump administration is making efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine - unlike the previous administration of Joe Biden.
In his speech, he also warned that Europe is going through a process of militarization, which he said is reminiscent of the period before World War II.
According to data cited by Medvedev, in 2025, about 450,000 people signed contracts to serve in the Russian armed forces, and another 127,000 - since the beginning of this year. Moscow is increasingly relying on professional servicemen after the unpopular mobilization in 2022.
Independent estimates indicate that the number of confirmed Russian servicemen killed exceeds 213,000, with official data from both sides in the conflict not being published.