Medvedev demands final defeat of the 'Beast'
Recently, Vladimir Putin of the Kremlin has set his own conditions for peace talks. Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian ex-president and deputy chairman of the Security Council, has now openly stated: Russia's peace offering is not genuine. Even if Ukraine were to agree, Moscow would continue the war.
Russian ex-president and deputy chairman of the Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, commented on Moscow's alleged peace efforts in a post on Telegram. President Vladimir Putin stated his conditions for a ceasefire and peace talks during the Swiss peace summit last month: withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the four eastern regions and renunciation of NATO membership. Medvedev now makes it clear that Russia would continue fighting, even if Ukraine were to agree.
Specifically, the hardliner Medvedev writes that even if the "papers" were signed after peace talks and "defeat is accepted" - for which he seems to imply a government change in Kiev - the "remaining radicals, after reorganizing their forces, would come to power again." This would be Russia's opportunity "to finally crush the beast." As "radicals," the Russian leadership sees the hated pro-Western government of President Volodymyr Zelensky and its supporters.
Moreover, Medvedev speaks in this context of returning the remaining Ukrainian territories "into the embrace of the Russian homeland." In other words, annexing the entire Ukraine and subjecting it to Russian rule, not just the four eastern regions. And even if this scenario were to occur, Medvedev still doesn't believe in peace.
He writes, "Our enemies will not disappear, but will gather their forces and wait for a new opportunity to destroy Russia." "We must be ready for future battles to protect the fatherland." This is the typical Kremlin narrative that Russia is the victim of Western aggression, which it must defend against. In fact, Russia began the war against the entire Ukraine in February 2022 and has been fighting in the eastern regions of the country since 2014.
ISW: Kremlin plans to continue occupying Ukraine after a negotiated peace agreement
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Medvedev hints that the Kremlin intends to continue its occupation of Ukraine after a negotiated peace agreement. The ISW also notes that Medvedev suggests that negotiations may only take place after a "radical change" within the Ukrainian government.
The Kremlin may believe that the complete occupation of Ukraine would be easier if Kiev accepts unpopular ceasefire agreements and concessions regarding NATO membership. In this case, the Ukrainian society might demand a government change, which would benefit the Kremlin. However, the ISW notes that the Kremlin has previously misjudged internal Ukrainian sentiment.
Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian ex-president, has further clarified Russia's stance on peace talks, stating that Moscow would continue its war, even if Ukraine were to agree to the conditions set by President Vladimir Putin. Medvedev implies that radical elements in Ukraine would regain power after a perceived defeat, providing Russia with an opportunity to "crush the beast." He also suggests that Russia has no interest in peace, as its enemies will simply regroup and wait for another opportunity to attack. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has further noted that Medvedev's comments indicate that the Kremlin intends to continue its occupation of Ukraine, even after a negotiated peace agreement.
