Medvedev-Any Weapons Can Be Used To Defend Territories Joining Russia

Comments from former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev hitting wires. Medvedev states that 'Russia is ready to defend territories added to it with all means, including strategic nuclear weapons'.

• Says that referendums in the Donbas 'Republics' will take place, 'There is no way back'.
• The referendums are due to take place from 23-27 September. There is little-to-no expectation of a result other than a vote to join the Russian Federation.
• The risk then becomes that with Ukrainian forces on the doorstep of these regions, Russia argues that by providing materiel to Kyiv the West is actively supporting an invasion of Russia-proper. Moscow could therefore engage in retaliatory action against Western nations, arguing it is self-defence. This would risk a NATO-Russia conflagration that could see conflict spread far beyond Ukraine's borders.