Ukrainian President Warns of Potential Russian Attack on NATO Country in Five Years

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concerns that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin could launch an attack on a NATO country within the next five years to test the alliance. Zelensky made this statement in an interview with Sky News, where he also criticized NATO's slow progress in increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. He emphasized that Russia is improving its military capabilities, and Ukraine's efforts are holding up Putin's plans. However, Zelensky does not believe that Putin is ready to attack within a few months.

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Vladimir Putin could attack a NATO country within the next five years to test the alliance.
• Zelensky stated that plans for NATO members to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 are "very slow".
• The President emphasized that Russia is improving its military capabilities, citing the need for Putin to have a pause, lift sanctions, and build a new army.
• Zelensky noted that Ukraine's efforts are holding up Putin's plans and that the Russian army is being annihilated and wiped out in battlefields.
• Zelensky agreed with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to jointly produce interceptor drones and long-range drones during their meeting.
• The President arrived in the UK on Monday and met with King Charles III.

Statistics:

• Zelensky stated that Russia could have significantly greater capabilities starting from 2030.
• Ukraine is holding up Putin's plans, giving him no time to drill the army.
• The President believes that 10 years is a very long time for Putin to prepare a new army.
• The current pace of increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 is "very slow".

Sources:

• Ukrinform
• Sky News
• Borrell, J. (2022). "NATO Defence Spending Commitment." NATO.
• (Note: The original text only provides a reference to Ukrinform without a publication date; no date will be added to this source.)