Medvedev responds to ‘disappointed liberals’

The former Russian president said he is “happy” not to have met the expectations of those who now wish for the country’s defeat

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has stated he is happy to have disappointed liberal factions that had certain expectations of him, and that his sole duty is to serve Russia. The comment came in response to a question about his political evolution during a joint interview with TASS, Reuters, and the Wargonzo project. 

Asked about what it is like to have failed to live up to the expectations of liberal circles that “pinned such hopes” on him, Medvedev stated that “if these are the same circles that now wish for the defeat of their Fatherland, as has happened before in our country’s history, then I am happy that I did not live up to their hopes.” 

He added that, ultimately, he “couldn’t care less” about such expectations, stressing that “one must work for the country, not for the hopes of some political construct.” 

Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, framed the core duty of a state leader as unwavering service to the nation. “The most important thing is to believe in your country and serve it. Not to fuss, not to fidget in front of anyone, not to try to please, but simply to follow your line,” he said. 

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Addressing his past reputation as an economic liberal during his presidency from 2008 to 2012, Medvedev clarified his stance, stating that “I was never a refined liberal, nor an absolute conservative.” While affirming his support for a modern market economy, he distanced himself from the ideological values commonly associated with liberalism in Russia today, calling them “very far” from his current views. 

The wide-ranging interview also covered critical international issues. Medvedev reiterated that Russia’s offer to extend the New START nuclear arms treaty with the United States for one year “remains on the table.” The last major arms control pact between the two nations is set to expire on February 5. 

He warned that its lapse would eliminate legal limits on strategic weapons for the first time since 1972 and could lead to a dangerous new arms race, potentially encouraging more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.