Putin’s Russia preparing for ‘Big War’ soon, Ukraine warns

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is preparing for a “big war” in Europe that could begin as early as 2029.

“We need more pressure on Russia. According to the situation on the battlefield, we don’t see that Russia wants to stop,” Zelensky said in a post on X early Thursday morning.
Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin for comment.

Why It Matters
The Ukrainian president’s comments echo warnings by European leaders that Moscow may be preparing for a large-scale war in Europe by the end of the decade. These fears are a focus for NATO members who have boosted defense spending pledges to five percent of GDP.

What To Know
Zelensky posted on X his concerns about future Russian aggression in Europe, and what what might happen if Moscow is given a chance to regroup after Ukraine.

“The problem is, looking at the defense military industry of Russia, we see that they increase their production. And our estimation is that they want to continue this war. We think that if we have big pressure, the Russians will need a pause,” he wrote, adding that Europe needed to be ready in 2029 or 2030 for a “big war.”

“I think that we have to think about how to stop them now in Ukraine. But also to do everything to decrease their capabilities. Not to give them money, which they still can get from energy. And not to give them weapons. So, this is the problem we have to think about.”

“The problem is, looking at the defense military industry of Russia, we see that they increase their production. And our estimation is that they want to continue this war. We think that if we have big pressure, the Russians will need a pause,” he wrote, adding that Europe needed to be ready in 2029 or 2030 for a “big war.”

“I think that we have to think about how to stop them now in Ukraine. But also to do everything to decrease their capabilities. Not to give them money, which they still can get from energy. And not to give them weapons. So, this is the problem we have to think about.”

The U.S. Treasury has announced sanctions against major Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, as part of measures aimed to pressure Putin to the negotiating table. Zelensky has previously said that Russia’s losses from these sanctions would be worth $50 billion over a year.

Amid record military spending by Russia, European leaders have repeatedly warned about the threat posed by Moscow in on the continent already destabilized by the war in Ukraine. This has informed the European Commission’s “Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030” which calls for a robust defense posture from the continent.

But there are worries about Europe’s ability to respond to Russian aggression within a half-decade as outlined by Zelensky. A report by the Kiel Institute in June this year highlighted issues with Europe’s lagging rearmament, such as a lack of coordination across countries and production bottlenecks.
The report also flagged Europe’s overdependence on U.S. security guarantees, if American priorities shift, which is of concern given the U.S, president’s rhetoric suggesting that Europe may not get the support from Washington it had counted on for decades.

What People Are Saying
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on X: “We have to recognize that they want a big war and prepare to be ready in 2029 or 2030—in this period of time—to begin such a big war. On the European continent. We look at this like a really big challenge.”

What Happens Next
Zelensky’s comments add to the chorus of concern about Russia’s intentions in the next few years as Moscow invests heavily in missile systems, drone swarms, and armored divisions. European countries are expected to accelerate forward deployments and joint procurement initiatives to meet the aims of the EU’s Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030.

Source: Newweek.com