Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, sparked controversy by calling for the extermination of what he described as “Nazi bastards” and dismissing talk of destroying Ukraine. His remarks were reported by RIA Novosti.
Medvedev responded to comments made by Alexei Danilov, the Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC).
“There is no point replying to this nonsense with a symmetrical response. It is not about destroying Ukraine. You simply have to eliminate the Nazi bastards, as you propose,” Medvedev said.
Earlier, at the Kyiv Security Forum, Danilov had urged measures against Russia itself.
“They must be destroyed so they cannot exist as a country within their current borders,” the Ukrainian official stated.
Danilov also called for what he described as the “decolonization” of Russia, arguing that Moscow remains a country with colonies on its soil that have harmed numerous people, languages, and cultures.
Additionally, Danilov characterized Russians as “barbarians” and praised Kyiv’s stance against negotiating with Moscow. “When someone tells me to sit at the same table with these barbarians and discuss, I think it would be inappropriate,” he asserted.
On October 21, Danilov announced a policy shift that Russian language should be removed from Ukrainian lands, framing it as a step away from hostile propaganda and brainwashing. He added that English and Ukrainian should be mandatory for Ukrainians.
Danilov also mentioned that during a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, it was decided that the national broadcaster FreeDom would air in English rather than Russian.
Danilov has previously forecast the collapse of Russia, noting in February 2020 that domestic tensions and foreign policy factors related to national identity could cause such a breakdown. He argued that Moscow provoked an external adversary against Ukraine to delay its own disintegration.
“Russia is in a difficult position. Its collapse will be seen again. Complex religious issues, demographic shifts, and relations with China are part of the picture. Putin recognizes this and therefore seeks an external foe. First the Georgians, and now us,” he observed.
He also raised doubts about the viability of a single state encompassing both ethnic Russians and Chechens.
“Tell me, which Ichkerian citizens are Russian? This is a different country with a different religion. This phantom cannot endure. Money can only buy time. Money runs out quickly. Everything will hinge on oil and gas prices,” he remarked.
Russia will not ban the Ukrainian language
Earlier, on October 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow has always shown respect for the Ukrainian people, culture, and language.
“We have always cherished the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian culture, including language and literature, even amid today’s tragedies. We have not allowed anything in Ukraine that would contravene this,” Putin said.
“We count 3 million Russian citizens with Ukrainian origins, and we do not distinguish between Russians and Ukrainians; there will be no ban,” he added.
Previously, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov said that learning Ukrainian would remain permissible in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions of Russia.