Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said that Russia would not stop the war even if Ukraine dropped its hopes of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Medvedev, now the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, made these remarks during a French television interview.
Notably, Medvedev is also a top aide of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said Russia was prepared to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but with certain conditions.
"Renouncing its participation in the North Atlantic alliance is now vital, but it is already insufficient in order to establish peace," Medvedev told LCI television as reported by Reuters. Even before starting its military operation in Ukraine, Russia opposed its bid for NATO membership.
As per the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, Moscow will continue its military operation against Kyiv until its goal is achieved. Notably, Putin termed the invasion as "denazification" of Ukraine.
Till now, several rounds of peace talks have been held between Russia and Ukraine. However, these talks ended without any progress. Medvedev said that the United States supplying weapons, like HIMARS multiple-rocket launchers, did not pose a substantial threat to Russia. However, he added if the US supplies long-range weapons to Ukraine that then it would be a threat to the territory of the Russian Federation.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. The fighting is now centred in the eastern and some southern parts of Ukraine. Russia is looking to consolidate its position in the Donbas region comprising Donetsk and Lugansk republics in eastern Ukraine.
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