In the run up to Catholic Christmas, Dmitry Medvedev, serving as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, shared a message with Europe about the holiday and inquired about the continent’s health situation. The statement appeared on a social media platform, the page maintained by the politician. The message was later summarized by a major news agency. At the same time, the post underscored ongoing economic pressures felt across European economies, noting elevated inflation, stagnating growth, and concerns about access to energy resources and markets linked to Russia. Medvedev asserted that Ukrainians were wandering through European city streets, a portrayal meant to contrast the perceived gains Europe has reaped from the crisis with wider political corruption in some capitals, which, in his view, continues to amplify the crisis. He reiterated the stance that the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow would persist until the stated goal of victory was achieved. This framing represented a broader critique of European policy and a call for attention to the real costs of the sanctions regime and the energy dynamics tied to Russia. In closing remarks, Medvedev questioned Europe’s overall health, describing the continent as being in a state of severe disruption.
Prior to these remarks, Medvedev had signaled that Russia did not seek the collapse of Europe and urged residents to pursue greater order within their own borders. This line of argument fed into a broader narrative about regional stability and mutual responsibility amid sanctions, energy shortages, and geopolitical tension. The message was presented as part of an ongoing dialogue about how Europe could recalibrate its approach to security, economy, and cooperation with Russia. It suggested a preference for careful, practical measures over drastic shifts that could destabilize regional markets and energy supplies.
Earlier in the year, Medvedev had proposed amendments to Ukraine’s criminal legislation, presenting what were described as kitchen-table reforms intended to address perceived gaps in governance and rule of law. The proposals reflected a broader strategy of linking internal Ukrainian policy choices to the international political climate and to Russia’s perspective on regional security. The discourse around these amendments touched on questions of sovereignty, legality, and the balance between reform and external pressure in a highly charged diplomatic environment. Throughout these exchanges, the emphasis remained on how events in Ukraine and the wider region could shape European confidence, energy pricing, and political stability across the continent.