Dmitry Medvedev as Russian president chomped on a burger at an American diner with Barack Obama, praised independent media and made ambitious promises of reform to create a more open Russia.
But with the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine raging for over three months, he now vows to make enemies of Russia “disappear”, warns of military strikes on the West and darkly comments the “horsemen of the apocalypse” are on their way.
What happened to Medvedev, 56, president from 2008-2012 and premier from 2012-2020, once seen by admirers as Russia’s great hope for reform?
His path is also emblematic of that of Russia over the last two decades, as the country swung from a potential reliable member of the international system to the current isolation, inwardness and radicalism.
“Dmitry Medvedev is, it seems, trying to demonstrate his relevance — and loyalty — in a system that has become markedly more hawkish and less tolerant of shades of grey,” said Ben Noble, associate professor of Russian Politics at University College London.
As president, Medvedev never stepped out of the shadow of Vladimir Putin, his fellow Saint Petersburger to whom he owes his political career.
Putin in 2008 had to switch jobs, becoming premier in order not to break constitutional rules, with Medvedev assuming the presidency. Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012 as Medvedev stepped aside.
He became prime minister –- dubbed a Putin-Medvedev “castling” in Russia –- before becoming deputy chairman of the national security council eight years later.
– ‘Make them disappear’ –
But the presidency of Medvedev –- which now appears to belong to a different epoch –- still contained remarkable gestures towards change.
He championed a “reset” of relations with Washington that saw Obama visit Moscow in 2009 and Medvedev the US the next year, famously being presented with an iPhone in Silicon Valley by Apple founder Steve Jobs.
In April 2011, he popped into the studios of independent TV channel Dozhd (Rain), giving an interview and declaring it a “great place” as his Kremlin sought to cautiously cultivate independent media.
He attempted to take on the mantle of reforming Tsar Alexander II who abolished serfdom, saying Russia’s current hydrocarbon-dependent economic model was at a “dead end” while political freedom “cannot be put off for another day”.
Medvedev boasted of an affinity with Western culture, proclaiming to be a fan of US rock band Linkin Park and seizing the chance to meet his music heroes like Bono of U2 and Deep Purple.
Most remarkably of all, it was on Medvedev’s watch that Russia abstained — rather than using its veto — on a UN Security Council resolution authorising military action in Libya. The move prompted a rare public spat between him and Putin.
Medvedev — unlike the perennial Internet-sceptic Putin — always embraced tech and social media, sending his first tweet (a jolly “Hello everyone!”) from Silicon Valley in 2010.
