Dmitri Medvedev, in his December 27, 2024, Telegram message suggests that it is in Russia’s best interests to ignore the United States, since the alternative would lead to an all-out nuclear war. On the other hand, Europe should be punished for its anti-Russia position by all means possible, into the mix of which would be what he calls ‘hybrids.’ In his Telegram message, he is encouraging what can be called a fourth estate – immigrants, Islamists, and others on the fringes of European society – to work for the destruction of Europe as it exists today.

Medvedev’s message starts below [translated from Russian by LOC]:

More than 20 years ago, an American colleague of mine voiced a curious phrase concerning the events in Iraq: “Punish France, ignore Germany, forgive Russia.”

Why have I remembered this? Here’s why: This linguistic triad excellently fits the situation that will unfold (and, it will at some point unfold for sure) in connection with the end of the West’s hybrid war against Russia. And then our country can fully:

a) forgive those weak countries that gave in to the pressure of the Anglo-Saxons and participated, however passively, in the anti-Russian Western ‘tresh’ (this is primarily a series of countries of Asia and Latin America); [Translator Comment: I would suggest that to translate ‘tresh’ as ‘trash’ in the usual sense of the word would be to miss Medvedev’s underlying intent. He is a clever and savvy communicator who is confident that the readership he really wants to influence knows, to what he’s alluding and for which there are three possibilities. The first is the explanation of Ukrainian recording artist, Anna Trincher, concerning her song entitled ‘Tresh,’ (‘Trash’), “This is my story about choice. Choosing to be yourself when there is chaos, toxicity, and abuse all around. It is familiar to anyone who has been burned and burned out.” (Tresh Acoustic by Anna Trincher from Ukraine | Popnable ; translated using Google Translate.) Although the sentiment that she expressed concerns a love relationship, the words can certainly be applied to a war situation. The second possibility for Medvedev’s use of the word ‘tresh’ is as an allusion to the Russian version of the League of Legions online interactive computer game Thresh, which in Russian is rendered as ‘Tresh,’ the phonetic equivalent, and therefore, superficially, not the same word as its homophone, meaning ‘trash.’ However, that is not to say that Medvedev isn’t taking liberties, given his tendency to engage in word-play in his posts, here passing judgment on the West for its vulgar influence on Russian youth with its trash, i.e., garbage, in the form of online computer games. And this brings us to yet a third possibility for the meaning of ‘tresh’ that Medvedev wants to convey – not that of ‘garbage’ as we Americans use the term, whether in a literal or figurative sense, but as ‘foreignisms’ tend to do, to take on far different meanings. In this case, Medvedev may very well be using the word ‘tresh’ as Russians have come to use the word to express ‘horror,’ ‘confusion,’ ‘disorder’ (https://mirbelogorya.ru/radio-mb/podcasts/244-bez-lishnikh-slov/26439-bez-lishnikh-slov-tresh.html), in Ukraine the cause for which he places squarely on the shoulders of the West.]

b) ignore the U.S. Here everything is simple: Friendship with the U.S. is not foreseen in the coming 100 years, but to fight against America is expensive – a direct conflict would obviously expand into a worldwide nuclear war;

c) punish Europe. So here I will speak in more detail, because today’s Old World does not evoke for me any emotions whatsoever, except the deepest revulsion. Namely Europe, having been transformed into an evil, crazy old woman, has become the main bastion of Russophobia in the world. Namely lying Europe is guilty of the breakdown of the Istanbul negotiations. Namely brainless Europe was frantically unfurling an untalented sanctions campaign, which brought its citizens colossal losses. Namely bloodthirsty Europe has fed all the most rabid demons of war, without counting the losses of the sides of the conflict.

And therefore, Europe must be punished with all the means available to us: political, economic and all possible hybrids. And therefore, it is necessary to aid any destructive processes in Europe. Long live the aggressive rioters [lit. ‘pogromists] in its streets. Glory to the crowds of migrants, who are creating atrocities and with hatred are annihilating the rainbow European values! Let all the disgusting faces of European bureaucrats disappear in the stream of future civilian clashes!

Why so cruelly? But how otherwise given such facts? The ship under the flag of Norway, Oslo Carrier 3, refused to take onboard Russian sailors from the ship, Ursa Major, who were drowning in the Mediterranean Sea. Any other explanations still needed? This cannot be forgiven! [Translator Comment: Medvedev may have been misinformed, but it is more likely that he chose to follow a narrative which, according to https://maritime-executive.com/article/oslo-bulk-refutes-russia-s-claims-it-refused-aid-to-crew-of-ursa-major , differs dramatically from the actual facts, but which better served the bottom line of his antagonistic, West-bashing post.]

We will act, for it is written: “The righteous will rejoice when he sees revenge; he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.” (Psalm 57:11) [Translator Comment: Medvedev conveniently forgets the Biblical admonition, “Vengeance is Mine (i.e., is for Me to perform), I will requite, thus saith the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 32:35). Paul, quoting this verse in his book to the Romans 12:17-19, cautions “not to avenge [ourselves], but give place for the wrath [of God].” We are not to take matters into our own hands, should we suffer wrong by a perceived enemy. Paul is addressing this admonition to Christians, i.e., those who have placed their faith in the Living Word, God’s Son, Jesus, Who alone can make someone righteous. Medvedev, by quoting this verse, is equating himself and the cause he represents as being the ‘righteous,’ while the wicked are those who are acting to thwart that cause. Medvedev must be reminded of what the Bible says about initiating conflicts and waging war, out of covetousness killing those who have what the aggressor wrongly desires to obtain. (James 4:1-2) By definition, the aggressor is showing himself to be the unrighteous one. This is exactly the reason for Russia’s assault on Ukraine that began almost three years ago. Also, the fact remains that Medvedev’s narrative that the West’s Russophobia has been proven by the Oslo Carrier 3 incident is a red herring and a false narrative at that.