Ukraine war: Putin’s proposed referendums are ‘sham,’ says James Cleverly
Vladimir Putin is not bluffing about using nuclear weapons if necessary, former Russian president Dmitri Medvedev said.
Mr Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, also warned that Moscow has the right to respond “without much consultation”, as tensions rise with the West over referendums held in large swathes of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.
“I have to remind you again - for those deaf ears who hear only themselves. Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons if necessary,” Mr Medvedev said, adding that it would do so “in predetermined cases” and in strict compliance with state policy.
The 57-year-old Putin ally, who once presented himself as a reformer who was ready to work with the United States to liberalise Russia, has recast himself in recent months as the most publicly hawkish member of Putin's circle.
His comments come as Russia prepares to annex large swathes of Ukrainian territory after “sham referendums” in Russian-controlled regions.
