Putin Poised to Target Another European State, Zelenskyy Warns
Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning: Russian President Vladimir Putin may soon extend his war beyond Ukraine’s borders by attacking another European nation. According to Zelenskyy, Moscow is deliberately probing Europe’s air defenses through an escalating wave of drone incursions.
Testing Europe’s Air Defence Capabilities
Recent drone sightings over Denmark, Poland, and Romania, coupled with violations of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, signal that the Kremlin is measuring NATO’s ability to secure its skies. In the past week, drones were reported above a Danish military installation and a Norwegian base, raising alarm among Western allies.
“Putin will not wait to finish his war in Ukraine. He will open up some other direction. Nobody knows where. He wants that,” Zelenskyy declared in Kyiv after his return from the United Nations General Assembly.
The Poland Drone Operation and European Response
Earlier this month, Ukraine tracked 92 Russian drones heading toward Poland. Most were intercepted, but 19 crossed into Polish territory, where local forces managed to shoot several down. Zelenskyy emphasized that Poland’s situation differs fundamentally from Ukraine’s: “I am not comparing our forces. We are at war and they are not.”
To strengthen regional defense, Zelenskyy revealed that delegations from several unnamed European countries will soon travel to Ukraine for “practical training” in countering aerial attacks. “We are ready to share our experience,” he added.
Meeting with Trump: Shifts in U.S. Tone
Zelenskyy’s warning came shortly after what he described as “very nice” talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN summit in New York. Trump expressed confidence that Ukraine could recover all the territory lost since 2022, provided NATO and Europe remain united. He dismissed Russia’s military might, calling it a “paper tiger,” while also noting its deteriorating economy.
According to Zelenskyy, he briefed Trump on the realities of the battlefield, stressing that Russian advances are temporary and do not reflect lasting success. The Ukrainian leader suggested that Trump now has greater “faith” in Ukraine after realizing that Russia treats both allies and adversaries with “disrespect.”
When asked about reports of Kyiv requesting U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of reaching Moscow, Zelenskyy declined to comment, citing the sensitivity of the matter.
Energy, Drones, and Moscow’s Potential Blackouts
Ukraine has increasingly relied on domestically developed long-range drones, which have successfully struck Russian oil refineries in recent months. Zelenskyy issued a stern warning: if the Kremlin resumes its winter campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Moscow itself could face retaliatory blackouts.
Europe Considers a “Drone Wall”
In response to the mounting aerial threats, European defense ministers have backed the creation of a “drone wall” along the EU’s eastern borders. This network of detection systems and integrated defenses is designed to shield Europe from hybrid attacks and safeguard NATO’s credibility.
For Kyiv, the strategy extends beyond defending its borders—it aims to position Ukraine as a training hub and security partner for Europe. But the continent’s readiness, experts warn, remains uneven and fragile.
Zelenskyy’s latest warning highlights growing fears that the conflict in Ukraine could spill deeper into Europe. With Russia stepping up drone activity over NATO states, and Europe scrambling to coordinate its response, the stakes are rapidly escalating. For Ukraine, resilience is not just about defending territory—it is about ensuring energy security and preparing allies for a broader confrontation. For Russia, any miscalculation could boomerang into consequences at home.