Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, said Russia must take all measures to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO. According to him, such a scenario should lead either to the disappearance of Ukraine as a state or to the collapse of the alliance itself.

Medvedev emphasized that the prospects for Ukraine's membership in NATO pose a direct threat to Russia's national security. These words came not only against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but also against the backdrop of tensions in Russia's relations with the West.

Medvedev also noted that Russia is ready to use all available means to protect its interests and security.

“We must do everything so that Ukraine’s “irreversible path” to NATO ends with either the disappearance of Ukraine or the disappearance of NATO, or better yet, both.”- said Medvedev.