Russia Warns EU of Military Showdown as Trump, Medvedev Clash Over Ukraine
Moscow Accuses Europe of Pushing Toward War While Trump’s Mediation Claims Spark Verbal Battle with Former Russian President.
Watan-Amid rising tensions between Moscow and European capitals, Russian officials have warned that the European Union is moving toward a potential military confrontation with Russia. This comes alongside a sharp war of words between former U.S. President Donald Trump, his special envoy, and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, fueled by developments on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Izvestia that current EU policies indicate a “readiness for military conflict with Russia.” He added that European approaches to resolving the war in Ukraine lack any genuine effort toward political settlement, and instead aim to inflict “strategic defeat” and economic strangulation on Russia.
Grushko also criticized the latest round of EU sanctions—the 17th since the war began—saying it would backfire and negatively impact several EU member states. He noted that an 18th sanctions package is already being drafted.
Trump-Medvedev Verbal Clash
Simultaneously, a fierce exchange broke out between Donald Trump and Dmitry Medvedev. Trump commented on Russia’s recent drone and missile attacks in Ukraine, posting on Truth Social:
“Vladimir Putin is playing with fire… What he doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, things would have gone terribly wrong for Russia.”
Trump’s statement came as he announced efforts to mediate peace between Moscow and Kyiv. According to U.S. sources, Putin had previously promised to send a “peace memorandum” outlining Russia’s ceasefire conditions—but this has yet to materialize.
In a sharp response on X (formerly Twitter), Medvedev wrote:“Regarding Trump’s comments about Putin playing with fire—I know nothing worse than World War III. I hope Trump understands that.”
This wasn’t Medvedev’s first jab. In February, he echoed Trump’s accusation that Ukrainian President Zelensky was ‘gambling with World War III’, declaring:
“At last, the arrogant pig got slapped in the Oval Office. Trump is right: the Kyiv regime is gambling with global war.”
Trump Envoy Joins the Fray
Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, fired back at Medvedev, calling his rhetoric “reckless and irresponsible.” On X, Kellogg posted:
“Scaremongering about World War III is an unfortunate and inappropriate stance for a major power. Trump is working to end the killing, and we are still waiting for the terms Russia promised a week ago. Ceasefire now.”
