Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has responded to a new US sanctions law with strong rhetoric, urging Moscow to answer American pressure with “direct military deterrence.” The deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council did not elaborate further on what that would mean in practice.
Medvedev’s comments came shortly after US President Donald Trump signed a new package of sanctions aimed at further weakening Russia’s economy amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Medvedev calls for tougher Russian response
In his statement, Medvedev claimed Washington “responds only to strength and military deterrence.”
He did not specify what exact measures he believes Russia should take in response.
As a result, his announcement remains political and security rhetoric, without detailing any concrete Russian military step.
Trump signs new sanctions law
Donald Trump signed the law on Friday, September 18, after it was approved by the US Congress.
The legislation targets Russia’s energy and defense sectors, entities involved in circumventing sanctions, and the so-called shadow fleet of tankers that helps Russia continue to export oil.
The law also gives the US president broad authority to impose additional tariffs on countries making substantial purchases of Russian oil and gas or helping to evade sanctions.
In July, Aktualizovane.sk reported that Trump endorsed tougher measures against Russia, including secondary sanctions on third countries.
Sanctions to hit energy and defense sectors
The new US law aims to increase economic pressure on Moscow by restricting areas that are key revenue sources for the Russian economy.
Washington is primarily targeting energy exports, the defense industry, and companies or vessels involved in evading existing sanctions regimes.
The Kremlin had previously warned that further sanctions, in Moscow’s view, would complicate diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Medvedev among the most hardline Russian voices
Dmitry Medvedev served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012, and later as prime minister.
He currently holds the position of deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Medvedev has been one of the most outspoken Russian officials, regularly using harsh rhetoric against the United States, Ukraine, and other Western countries.
His individual statements should not automatically be seen as announcements of official decisions by the Russian government or military.
Tension rises between Washington and Moscow
The new sanctions come just days after further diplomatic contacts between Washington and Moscow.
In mid-September, Trump supported the idea of limiting Russian and Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure. The Kremlin welcomed the proposal, but also demanded the lifting of sanctions against Russia.
Now, the situation is once again shifting toward increased economic pressure from the United States and sharper rhetoric from Moscow.
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Medvedev’s statement does not, for now, change the nature of US sanctions or mark a direct announcement of a Russian military reaction.
The coming developments will show whether Moscow reacts to the new law only diplomatically and economically, or also takes further security measures.
This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
