Russia could strike Nato members with nuclear weapons, a senior security official has said.g
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former prime minister and current deputy of its security council, said Nato’s newest members, which includes Sweden and Finland, could be struck with revenge strikes using nuclear weapons in the event of a conflict.
“The non-aligned status gave them (Finland and Sweden) certain international perks, given their geopolitical position and many other factors,” Medvedev said.
“And now they are part of a bloc hostile to us which means they automatically became a target for our armed forces, including potential retaliatory strikes and even the nuclear component or preventive measures within the framework of a military doctrine.”
Medvedev has styled himself as one of Russia’s most outspoken anti-Western hawks, repeatedly warning that Russia could respond to Western-backed strikes in Ukraine with nuclear weapons.
His comments came after Vladimir Putin announced a surprise three-day ceasefire that will take place between May 8 and 10, when Russia celebrates the end of World War II.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Kyiv had not responded to the offer of a ceasefire and that it was unclear whether Ukraine would join the truce.
“It was President Putin who repeatedly said that Russia is ready, without any preconditions, to start the negotiations process,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“We have not heard a response from the Kyiv regime so far.”
