Former Russian President and current Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that in the coming years more and more countries will acquire nuclear weapons. He accused the West of encouraging global conflict through its actions in Ukraine through a "proxy war". His words were quoted by Reuters, News.bg reports.
In a post on his official Telegram channel, Medvedev pointed out that the risk of a nuclear clash is at its highest level ever, stressing that hopes for nuclear disarmament are "illusory". “Even with a complete cessation of the conflict in Ukraine, nuclear "disarmament in the coming decades is impossible," he wrote.
His remarks came amid increased mentions of nuclear capabilities by Western leaders. Medvedev criticized France and Britain for "rattling weapons" with their "meager strategic capabilities," which he said further worsened global security.
Medvedev recalled the New START treaty signed in 2010 with then-US President Barack Obama, which expires in February 2026. He noted that instead of disarmament, the world is moving towards the development of new, even more destructive weapons.
According to him, the current international situation makes it almost certain that new countries will join the nuclear powers.
Currently, Russia and the United States have about 88% of all nuclear warheads in the world, followed by China, France, Great Britain, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea, according to data from the Federation of American Scientists.
Diplomats in Moscow commented that despite his absence from the official power hierarchy, Medvedev's statements reflect the attitudes of higher circles in the Kremlin, especially in the context of the growing confrontation with the West.