New Delhi, July 17 -- Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and former President, said on Thursday (July 17) that Russia has no intention of launching attacks on NATO or Western Europe. However, he warned that if the West escalates the war in Ukraine, Moscow may be forced to respond, potentially with preemptive military strikes.

"Let me remind you that our president has unequivocally stated that Russia has no intention of fighting NATO or attacking Europe," Medvedev said, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

Medvedev, a key ally of President Vladimir Putin, said Russia should be prepared to deliver "preemptive strikes" if the West continues what he described as provocations.

"We should. respond in full o...