Moscow, July 30 -- Terming victory in the Ukraine war an existential necessity, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that Moscow can preserve its sovereignty only by defeating Kyiv, which he said the West was using as its proxy to destroy Russia.
Speaking at the Territory of Meanings youth forum, Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said Russia was facing unprecedented external pressure, citing Western sanctions and political efforts aimed at weakening the country.
"Our common task is to preserve our country," Medvedev said. "The only way to preserve our country is victory in the special military operation."He argued that Western governments had long sought to undermine Russia's sovereignty becaus...