Russia threatens West with ‘preemptive strikes’ as NATO looks to deliver Patriots 'as quickly as possible'

Medvedev calls NATO actions 'a full-scale war' while Trump redirects Patriot missiles and threatens 100% tariffs on Russian oil buyers

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow should consider launching "preemptive strikes" against the West as the U.S. and its NATO allies ratchet up defensive support for Ukraine.

"The statements of Western politicians on this topic are complete nonsense," Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia’s security council, said in an interview with state media outlet Tass, according to Reuters reporting.

"We need to act accordingly. To respond in full. And if necessary, launch preemptive strikes," he added.

Medvedev’s comments come just two days after President Donald Trump announced secondary tariffs on Moscow by slapping 100% tariffs on nations that purchase Russian oil if the Kremlin does not enter into a peace agreement with Ukraine within the next 50 days.

Reports also surfaced this week claiming that Trump had mulled the possibility of Ukraine hitting the Russian capital while in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month. Kyiv would not comment on the issue and the White House said the question was taken "out of context" and was not an attempt at "encouraging further killing."