VOLODYMYR Zelensky has warned that Vladimir Putin is eyeing five other European countries for invasion.
The Ukrainian has suggested at a press conference marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion that if despot Vlad isn’t stopped five European nations will be on his mind.
Russian soldiers could cross the border into five European countries, Volodymyr Zelensky has warned[/caption]
Russia is growing its army to 2.4million people[/caption]
Zelensky was with European leaders in Ukraine on Monday for the third anniversary of Putin’s invasion[/caption]
In particular, the five countries Zelensky has warned about are Eastern European states that all have “Russian roots”, Russian populations, or were part of the Soviet Union or its sphere.
He said Putin could use those populations as a pretext for invasion – like he had with Crimea.
Zelensky named Poland, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia, and Moldova as those nations potentially being eyed by the Russian.
He said: “When you have Russian speaking people, or their roots, or their families… it’s our history… then you are at risk.
“At the very beginning, they said that they are not occupying our territories… that they are defending Russian-speaking people.
“If we will fall down… I think all such countries who I mentioned have this risk because of Russian policy, because their view of the Russian world.”
Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, and parts of Poland were all within the Russian Empire – while Latvia, Estonia, and Moldova were in the Soviet Union.
Slovakia, meanwhile, was a communist country in the Warsaw Pact and its people are ethnically Slavic like Russians.
Russia has long seen itself as the protector of Slavic peoples – while Putin has explicitly said he wants to rebuild the Russian Empire.
Ukraine now has the largest and most experience army in Europe with a million troops under arms.
As of September, Putin ordered the size of the Russian armed forces to be expanded to 2.4million people it is currently thought to be around 1.5million.
But, what could hamper any potential Russian invasion of a European nation is four of the five countries Putin mentioned are in Nato while the other, Moldova, has defence deals with the EU.
Secondly, Putin’s army has had tens of thousands of tanks and armoured vehicles destroyed by Ukraine.
The country has also pioneered the use of drone technology.
A Ukrainian serviceman stands amid destroyed Russian tanks in Bucha[/caption]
Ukrainian soldiers at Hostomel Airport after defending it from a Russian attack[/caption]
Poland, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia, and Moldova would all be able to learn from Ukraine and stand up to a much larger force.
Zelensky’s comments come during a meeting with world leaders on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of his country.
Some 30 have even gone to Kyiv, like EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and even Boris Johnson.
Zelensky said: “Nobody in the world believes the Russian lies about our country and our people, even those who became Russia’s ally.
“Russia’s strategic target is Europe, the European way of life and the future of Europe.
“And the future of Europe cannot be decided without Europe.”
Russian helicopters fly into Hostomel Airport as they tried to take it at the beginning of the war[/caption]
Military trucks crossing into Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast from Crimea[/caption]
Trudeau addressed President Zelensky, praising his remarkable personal bravery, resilience, and resolve.
He said: “You continue to inspire me and tens of millions of my fellow citizens back home in Canada.”
Sir Keir Starmer has, meanwhile, announced a tranche of new sanction against Russia’s elite as he wants to force Putin into making concessions during peace negotiations.
Zelensky hailed Ukrainians for their “bravery and sacrifice” in an emotional video tribute to his nation on Monday morning.
Ukrainian soldiers fire a US-supplied Javelin missile system[/caption]
EU country Estonia borders Russia[/caption]
The valiant leader shared a patriotic clip of his courageous soldiers fighting the invading Russians and civilians pulling together to mark the third anniversary of the invasion.
Set to stirring music, Zelensky shared footage of fearless Ukrainian troops fighting over the course of the three years and thanked them.
The clip also shows civilians protesting against Russia, doctors in surgery, and firefighters in bombed-out buildings.
Zelensky’s touching clip comes after he said he would step down as his country’s leader in exchange for peace or Nato membership.
US President Donald Trump slammed Zelensky for being a “dictator” and that he wasn’t important enough to attend peace negotiations.
The hard-nosed negotiating strategy has thrown Europe into crisis as the continent realises it can’t rely on the US to defend it from Russia.
Ukrainian soldiers of the 43rd Artillery Brigade fire a howitzer[/caption]
Trump has demanded £400bn for “equalisation”, the US Congress thinks the US has only backed Ukraine with up to £137bn.
The dispute over the deal has led to a feud between the leaders with Trump slamming Zelensky as a “dictator” and sidelined him by starting peace discussions with Russia.
Trump also said the leader of Ukraine was “not very important” to be in meetings about peace – despite Ukraine having been invaded.
Zelensky shouted at Trump’s envoy in a blast so furious it left the official trembling and could be heard through a door, a report claims.
An “angry” Zelensky blasted US treasury secretary Scott Bessent in a closed-door meeting about the deal in Kyiv on February 12, the Financial Times reports.
The envoy had demanded brave Zelensky sign over much of his country’s wealth then and there.
But Zelensky’s gravelly, enraged voice could be heard through the gilded doors the meeting was held behind as he shot back.
Who could replace Zelensky?
Names have begun to emerge as to who could replace Zelensky if he were to resign.
Valery Zaluzhny – The Iron General
Zaluzhny led the defence of Kyiv at the start of the war when Russia sent its special forces to their death at Hostomel Airport. Russia then tried to take Kyiv from the north by sending an Army from Belarus.
But the Iron General Zeluzhny is known for thinking outside of the box and has built a cult status in Ukraine.
He is currently the country’s ambassador to London.
Vitali Klitschko – The Champion Boxer
Klitschko is currently mayor of Kyiv and, standing at 6ft 7in, the former world boxing champion would be a heavyweight contender.
The boxer has led the city through daily bombardments by Russian drones and has become a powerful symbol of the city’s defence joining the territorial defence forces.
Like Zelensky, Klitschko would be a strong pro-European leader that Vladimir Putin would hate.
Viktor Medvedchuk – Putin’s Man
Ukrainian oligarch Medvedchuk is the godfather to Putin’s youngest daughter.
He was an important interlocutor between Moscow and Kyiv and backs a pro-Russian political party with several television stations he owns.
In 2021, he was arrested on suspicion of supporting Russian separatists – with the oligarch denying any wrongdoing.
The move is said to have infuriated Putin and was seen as one of the possible reasons he launched his invasion.
Zelensky has said he could stand down if Ukraine could join Nato[/caption]
