Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, attacked Western sanctions over Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and called for Moscow to respond “symmetrically.”
In a long post on the Russian social-media site VK, Medvedev said “these incredible bans, of course, will not change anything” and claimed economic sanctions were imposed “out of political impotence.”
He called on Moscow to seize the assets of foreign individuals and companies in Russia and to consider “the nationalization of property belonging to entities registered in unfriendly jurisdictions,” including the United States and the European Union.
The United States and the European Union on February 24 announced the first wave of sanctions against Russia, including restrictions on exports to Russia and sanctions against several Russian banks and state companies. Further sanctions, including asset freezes targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and others in Russia’s ruling elite, are reportedly being finalized.
Medvedev said the sanctions could “become a good reason to finally reconsider all relations with the countries that impose them,” including discussion on “strategic stability.”
“We don’t really need diplomatic relations,” he wrote. “It is time to put padlocks on the embassies.”
On February 25, Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for it to withdraw its forces from Ukraine. The vote was 11-1, with China, India, and the United Arab Emirates abstaining.
Medvedev also condemned a Council of Europe decision to suspend Russia’s membership over its invasion of Ukraine as a “gross injustice,” adding that Russia should “forget about those senseless good-for-nothings forever.”
In a post on the Russian social-media site VK, Medvedev said Moscow should use the opportunity to reinstate the death penalty “for dangerous criminals.” Russia has had a moratorium on the death penalty since it joined the Council of Europe in 1996.
“The interesting stuff is just beginning,” Medvedev concluded.