Russia threatens 'preemptive strikes' on West days after US President Donald Trump demands Ukraine ceasefire
On Tuesday, President Trump threatened to impose "very severe" tariffs on Russia unless the Kremlin negotiated an end to its invasion.
The US leader also declared he was "very unhappy" with Russian President Vladimir Putin's reticence to engage in peace talks, in a notable shift away from previous comments praising Russia's leader.
The Kremlin subsequently dismissed the threat, with Mr Medvedev, who now acts as the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, describing it as a "theatrical ultimatum".
On Thursday, the senior Russian official went further still, telling state media the Kremlin was ready to "respond in full" to any perceived escalation of the war by Western nations.
"The statements of Western politicians on this topic are complete nonsense," he said, adding many were attempting to deliberately rachet up tensions.
"We need to act accordingly. To respond in full and, if necessary, launch preemptive strikes."
Mr Medvedev did not name President Trump in his remarks, but was likely responding both the the US leader and comments from Ukraine's European and NATO allies following the announcement of further military support.
Under a fresh agreement, the US is set to provide NATO with weapons, including advanced Patriot missile systems, which will then be distributed to Ukraine to aid its defence against Russian invaders.
Russia has long argued the provision of Western weapons to Ukraine represents direct European and US involvement in the war, a claim Mr Medvedev reiterated on Thursday.
"What is happening today is a proxy war, but in essence it is a full-scale war, sanctions packages, loud statements about the militarisation of Europe," he told Russian outlet TASS.
"It's another attempt to destroy the 'historical anomaly' hated by the West - Russia, our country."
Given Mr Medvedev's remarks, it appears highly unlikely the Kremlin will bow to President Trump's demand for a ceasefire.
Russian forces have continued to make gains in Ukraine, with President Putin understood to be keen on continuing to push forward until the West is prepared to meet his terms for peace.
Those demands include several stipulations Ukraine deems unacceptable, including the almost complete disbandment of its armed forces and the surrender of huge amounts of land to Russia.
The majority of European leaders have backed Ukraine's stance, maintaining any peace agreement should not be negotiated on Russian terms, although it US officials have made no such demands.
When asked about the terms of any peace agreement, President Trump has been light on detail, simply insisting the fighting needed to end.
The US leader has suggested Ukraine may need to concede territory to Russia in order to secure peace and has also refused to provide guarantees over the nation's future security.
With Reuters
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