Part 6/10:
Russian officials, including former President Dmitri Medvedev, continue to issue aggressive threats, notably to use nuclear force if Russia perceives existential threats. Medvedev's frequent sabre-rattling underscores Moscow’s reliance on nuclear deterrence as a bargaining tool or intimidation tactic.
However, Western leadership—including Germany's new government—remains largely unfazed by these threats. The United States, under the Biden administration, appears similarly unshaken, indicating a collective resolve to avoid escalation but also to prepare for an extended conflict.