Putin’s confidant – The strange transformation of Dmitri Medvedev – News

He was considered a reformer in the West. But since the start of the war in Ukraine, he has been one of the most radical voices in the Kremlin.

“If NATO attacks our nuclear power plants, we must consider attacks on Ukrainian nuclear power plants and nuclear facilities in Eastern Europe. There is nothing to be ashamed of,” said Dmitri Medvedev recently in his Telegram channel.

Medvedev, currently deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, is no longer ashamed. Since the beginning of the major attack on Ukraine, he has attracted attention with bizarre, aggressive statements. An example from last November: “We’re fighting a bunch of crazy Nazi drug addicts and a pack of barking dogs from the western kennel.”

The moderate Medvedev no longer exists

Nuclear threats are also nothing new for Medvedev. For months he has been fond of pointing out the readiness of Russia’s nuclear arsenal. Gone are the days when Medvedev signed a nuclear disarmament treaty with US President Barack Obama and spoke of a win-win situation.

That was in April 2010, during Medvedev’s four years as president of Russia. Medvedev was Vladimir Putin’s chosen successor. But the differences in governing styles quickly became apparent. In Russia, Medvedev was interested in modernizing the economy and police and tried his hand at combating corruption. He became something of a beacon of hope among many liberal Russians.

Medvedev scored points abroad not only with his approach, but also with his decidedly more relaxed demeanor. During his state visit to Switzerland, he surprised everyone with an unusual gift. He gave the city of Bern two little bears. In the USA he took a trip to a burger joint with Obama.

The relative thaw didn’t last long. In 2012, Putin returned to the presidency after serving as prime minister for four years. Medvedev had to swap roles with him. Russia’s relationship with the West became cooler again.

There is no doubt that Medvedev’s time in office has been romanticized to some extent. He was never a real democrat. And as commander in chief, he was responsible for the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008.

I hate our enemies. They are bastards, scum.

But even then, Putin still made many decisions in the background. Medvedev had the image of a moderate. His sudden change of attitude since the major Russian offensive came as a surprise to many in Russia.

Medvedev himself explained himself in a short message: “I am often asked why my posts on Telegram are so harsh. My answer is that I hate our enemies. They are bastards, scum. They want us, Russia, to die. And as long as I live, I will do everything to make them disappear.”

Legend:

During his term as Russian president from 2008 to 2012, Medvedev enjoyed a reputation in the West as a liberal reformer. Image from February 23, 2011.

Keystone/AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev

It is part of Vladimir Putin’s system that his followers adopt his rhetoric and take it to extremes to prove their loyalty. This is no different with the bellicose and nationalist propaganda of the so-called special operation in Ukraine.

But Dmitri Medvedev is a special case. His reputation as a liberal has become a liability. Especially in times of war and intensified repression, there should be no suspicion that he is not on the Kremlin’s line. According to observers, the main thing he wants to achieve with his strange posts is that he is beyond any doubt.