The former Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, declared during a speech at a youth festival in Sochi that parts of Ukraine should “return home” to Russia, ruling out any peace talks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. He stated that Ukraine is historically a part of Russia and cannot be separated from it. Medvedev emphasized that Russia would continue its military operation until Ukraine surrenders.
Medvedev’s speech included a map of Ukraine, portraying it as a smaller, landlocked territory squeezed between Poland, with Russia controlling its east, south, and Black Sea coast. He dismissed the idea that Ukraine is not a part of Russia, insisting that it is definitively Russian territory.
Medvedev also criticized the current Ukrainian leadership and stated that any future government willing to engage in peace talks must acknowledge the new reality on the ground. He compared current tensions between Russia and the US to the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, accusing US special forces of provoking conflict.
Furthermore, Medvedev joined other Kremlin officials in accusing Western countries, specifically Germany, of involvement in the war in Ukraine. This accusation came after a wiretap recording of German military officials discussing the use of Taurus missiles in Ukraine was leaked on social media. Medvedev condemned Germany for allegedly preparing to attack Russia, citing their refusal to send the missiles to Ukraine as evidence of their involvement in the conflict.