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Dmitry Medvedev’s Change: From Modernizer to Kremlin Hardliner
By Ahmed Hassan, Pulitzer Prize-winning Chief Editor
dmitry Medvedev, once hailed as a modernizing force in Russian politics, has undergone a striking transformation. The former president, who served from 2008 to 2012, is now a vocal and often aggressive critic of the West, notably Ukraine and NATO. This shift reflects a broader hardening of rhetoric from Moscow as geopolitical tensions escalate.Medvedev’s recent pronouncements, delivered via social media, have been particularly sharp. He has vehemently opposed any suggestion of Western military intervention in Ukraine, reacting strongly to French President Emmanuel Macron’s consideration of sending troops. Medvedev stated bluntly that Russia would not accept such a security guarantee.
His criticism of macron has been particularly pointed, deriding the French President with the dismissive label of a ”Gaul Rooster” – a low-loud, poor bird, the king of the poultry – continuing to prove himself ineffective.This rhetoric underscores a growing animosity towards Western leaders and a willingness to engage in direct, frequently enough personal, attacks.
The shift in Medvedev’s tone coincides with a broader change in Russia’s foreign policy posture. His recent statements regarding the withdrawal from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty signal a ”new reality” for Moscow’s adversaries. This, coupled with the EU’s discussions about creating a stronger security mechanism akin to NATO’s Article 5, highlights a growing sense of confrontation.
While Medvedev’s role is now largely symbolic, his pronouncements are seen as indicative of the Kremlin’s thinking. He remains a loyal supporter of Vladimir Putin, and his increasingly hawkish stance suggests a deliberate strategy to project strength and deter Western involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. The evolution of Medvedev from a perceived reformer to a staunch defender of Russia’s hardline policies is a telling sign of the times.