Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and chairman of the United Russia party, said that the goal of the war in Ukraine is to ensure peace and stability for decades to come, and once again failed to speak disparagingly of Volodymyr Zelensky.

During his visit to the Sverdlovsk Region, and in particular to a railway construction factory, Medvedev stressed that Russia is continuing on the path of development and technological progress, alongside the continuation of military operations.

“The most important thing in our country is that development is continuing, technological progress is advancing. But also the special military operation (in Ukraine) is ongoing and will certainly be completed. And the goal is to ensure peace, stability and development of our country for the next decades,” he said.

The Russian official also stressed that Moscow cannot accept the existence of an “unfriendly” state on its borders, especially if it is a NATO member.

“Unfortunately, we cannot tolerate the idea of a state that is next to our country and is hostile to us, especially when it is part of the North Atlantic Alliance, namely NATO,” he said at a meeting with workers.

Medvedev reiterated that Russia “will achieve peace and ensure the security of its state,” noting that the country’s strategic goals remain unchanged.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he launched an attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he called a “useful idiot,” adding that the longer he remains in power “the smaller the territory of ‘Ukraine’ will become.”