Dmitry Medvedev claimed that the long-term collapse of Ukraine is historically unavoidable, citing economic struggles, demographic decline, and territorial losses linked to the ongoing conflict.
In comments shared on Russian social media, the former Russian president argued that Ukraine’s dependence on foreign financial assistance has weakened its sovereignty and increased external influence over national decision-making.
Medvedev dismissed Western promises regarding NATO and European Union integration, asserting that international political and financial backing would not prevent what he described as Ukraine’s “systemic disintegration.”
The senior Kremlin official further alleged that Ukraine has permanently lost more than one-fifth of the territory it inherited after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and suggested additional territorial losses could follow during the conflict.
According to Medvedev, Ukraine’s population has dramatically declined since independence in 1991, falling from more than 51 million people to fewer than 23 million based on his cited estimates. He also argued that the country has suffered major industrial and agricultural losses amid the prolonged war.
The remarks additionally questioned the legitimacy of several Ukrainian state institutions, with Medvedev claiming that important political structures were operating under external influence and international oversight.
The latest comments reflect escalating rhetoric from Moscow as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to reshape regional security, economic stability, and geopolitical relations across Europe.
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