KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to ignite a “big war across Europe” through a fresh military buildup and covert operations aimed at destabilizing neighboring countries.
Speaking in Kyiv on Wednesday, Zelensky accused Moscow of mobilizing troops along NATO’s eastern flank and launching cyberattacks and propaganda campaigns designed to weaken European unity.
“This is not just about Ukraine anymore. Putin wants Europe in flames — politically, economically, and militarily,” he said.
The warning came as Ukraine’s intelligence services reported a surge in Russian troop movements near the borders of Finland, Poland, and the Baltic states, alongside escalated missile strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Kyiv believes the Kremlin’s goal is to exhaust Western support and force new territorial concessions.
Zelensky urged Europe to “wake up” to the threat and speed up military assistance, particularly air defense systems and long-range missiles.
“The moment we hesitate, he advances,” he cautioned, warning that complacency would embolden Russia to expand its aggression.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has previously echoed similar concerns, stating that Moscow’s renewed mobilization could signal plans for a broader confrontation. The alliance recently reinforced its eastern defenses and extended joint exercises with Finland and Estonia.
Meanwhile, the European Union has convened an emergency meeting to discuss fresh sanctions targeting Russian oil exports and cyber operatives.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, “We cannot allow Russia to use hybrid warfare to destabilize our democracies.”
Analysts view Zelensky’s statement as part of a broader strategy to rally global attention as Ukraine faces waning Western focus and internal political fatigue ahead of winter.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, more than 10 million Ukrainians have been displaced and thousands killed.
Despite Western sanctions and aid, Moscow continues to control large parts of eastern Ukraine and shows no sign of retreating.
As tensions escalate, Zelensky’s warning underscores a grim reality that Europe’s longest war in decades could still widen unless decisive diplomatic and military action is taken.
