Former Russia president Dmitry Medvedev warned on Monday that if NATO invades the Crimean peninsula, Russia would take it as a declaration of war. That could lead to World War III, according to Medvedev.
“For us, Crimea is part of Russia. And that means forever,” Medvedev told a Russian weekly. “That is a declaration of war against our country. And if this is done by a NATO member state, it means a conflict with the whole alliance, a Third World War. A complete catastrophe.”
Medvedev also warned that if Sweden and Finland join NATO, Russia will strengthen its borders and prepare for “retaliation”. That could mean Russia placing Iskander missiles “on their doorstep,” the former president said.
Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014. Ukraine and much of the international community do not recognize the region as Russian territory.
