So often, many wonder if comments coming form Russia regarding the Ukraine and NATO conflict are mere "trolling." Today, two examples, but they're clearly NOT trolling . . .
I begin with Dmitry Medvedev who remarked in an interview with TASS, that Russia needs to strike first, rather than wait for attacks from the Alliance, because the West "still has not only treachery 'running through its veins' but also a sick, deeply outdated notion of its own superiority."
"And we need to behave accordingly. Respond in full measure. For Western elites, an independent, strong Russia has always been a historical anomaly. And a very convincing refutation of their 'civilizational superiority.' What is happening today - a proxy war, but in essence a full-scale war, sanctions packages, loud statements about the militarization of Europe - is yet another attempt to destroy the 'historical anomaly' hated by the West. Our country - Russia," he said.
Medvedev said that Moscow, having started the war with the aim of 'demilitarizing' and 'denazifying' Ukraine, gave it "a chance to stop being a pawn" in someone else's "bloody geopolitical games," adding that it's also necessary to conduct "deparasitation" in Ukraine.
Medvedev's remark about Russia STRIKING FIRST would usually be viewed as "trolling" especially if it was said on social media. It wasn't. It was said in a formal interview with TASS.
While I did not choose to report those remarks earlier, just a few hours ago, different remarks coming from the Russian Foreign Ministry, changed the whole dynamic.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, standing at the official podium of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said this: "Moscow considers itself entitled to use weapons against military facilities of countries that allow Kyiv to strike deep into Russia with its weapons."
This isn't trolling, this isn't "posturing," this isn't fear-mongering; It is simple reality.
We in the collective West would do well to accept these remarks at face value. They come from the present Deputy Chairman of Russia's Federation Council (senate) Dmitry Medvedev, and from the official spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
They are clearly making the case for Russia striking the United States, and European targets, for our behavior in pushing as far as we have pushed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.