The collapse of the Soviet Union is eroding the self-image of the Russian leadership. Not only Kremlin boss Putin, but also former President Medvedev dreams of campaigns of conquest and a reunited Greater Russia. But first Kyiv must be liberated.
Former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev hinted at a possible annexation of Georgia and Kazakhstan on Telegram. The Eastern European media project Nexta reports that in one post he described the two countries as “artificial states” and that “all the people who lived in the once great and powerful USSR will soon be living together again in friendship”. According to Nexta, Medvedev deleted the post a little later, claiming that his Telegram account had been hacked.
According to one translation, Medvedev began his contribution with the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the independence movements of the former member states. “The fatal mistake of the early 1990s will be corrected,” Medvedev threatens. “There is no doubt about it. We will spare no expense or effort.”
In his eyes, the unification of the USSR has already begun. “After the liberation of Kyiv and all Little Russian regions from the nationalist gangs that dreamed up Ukrainian culture, Russia will be reunited, powerful and invulnerable. Just like it was 1000 years ago in the days of the ancient Russian state.”
Then, according to Medvedev, “the next campaign will begin to restore the borders of our motherland. And these borders, you know, don’t end anywhere.”
The motherland therefore includes all areas that “are soaked in the blood of the Russian ancestors and that have been conquered in numerous battles over many centuries,” he continues. “We have no plans to cede these areas.”
Medvedev then gives the example of today’s Georgia, which “didn’t even exist” before the Russian annexation in the 19th century, but was created within the Russian empire.
At the end of his contribution, the former Russian President turns to Kazakhstan. The Central Asian country was only created by Russian colonization in the 17th century. This lasted for more than 300 years, writes Medvedev. “Kazakhstan is an artificial state,” he explains. Now, however, the population of Russian origin is to be pushed out through resettlement. “You can see that as genocide against the Russians. We will not accept that.”
Medvedev was President of Russia from 2008 to 2012 and then Prime Minister of Russia until 2020. The 56-year-old was once considered a liberal hope in the Kremlin. Since the Russian attack on Ukraine, Vladimir Putin’s loyal follower has attracted attention primarily with his martial threats. Just two weeks ago, Medvedev threatened Ukraine with the “Last Judgment” and repeatedly fantasized about its annihilation.
