Zelenskyy’s Warning: Where Putin’s War Could Spread Next

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Tuesday that Russia may target additional European countries, telling News Outlet that the danger of a fresh offensive is “very high” as Moscow tries to fracture European unity and erode support for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy made the comments after meeting with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Asked by News Outlet whether Russia could invade or strike another European nation in the near future, the Ukrainian president said countries bordering Russia or Belarus face the greatest danger.

“That’s why the risk of an offensive by drones, missiles or land operation is very high against other countries who are bordering Russia or Belarus,” Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president said Russian leader Vladimir Putin, having failed to accomplish his central military goals in Ukraine, could try to trigger turmoil elsewhere in Europe. Such a strategy, Zelenskyy argued, would be aimed at pressuring Western governments to scale back their backing for Kyiv.

“How to divide unanimity in Europe? … To attack somebody else. To attack and say, look, I will go further if you will not stop this,” Zelenskyy said.

He cited drone incursions and other disruptions across Europe as evidence that Moscow is already seeking to intimidate the public and gauge how governments would respond to further provocations.

Zelenskyy said the lack of a decisive Russian victory in Ukraine could lead Putin to pursue new confrontations, particularly as the Kremlin faces the challenge of explaining the war’s continued cost and lack of progress to the Russian public.

Asked what European governments should do as the security threat grows, Zelenskyy delivered a blunt response.

“Respond. Always respond. It’s not about the war. If you don’t respond, Russians, they will go further,” he said.

His comments come as concerns over Russian activity in Europe intensify. A series of drone incursions, along with warnings from European officials, has fueled fears that Moscow could be preparing or testing the ground for broader attacks.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Sept. 14 that peace across Europe was under threat and urged governments to treat the danger seriously. Speaking at an EU-Arctic Summit in Finland, Merz pointed to Russia’s growing presence in the region and its expanding hybrid operations elsewhere in Europe, calling for a coordinated response from European nations and NATO.

Merz’s warning followed an attempted drone attack near Leipzig/Halle Airport on Aug. 4. German authorities publicly blamed Russia for the incident on Sept. 1.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued another warning on Sept. 17, saying Russia could be planning drone or missile strikes against NATO members that support Ukraine, including Poland. He also cautioned that Moscow might present any attacks as accidental in an effort to divide the alliance and limit its response.

Recent incidents have underscored that the concerns extend beyond speculation. Romania’s Defense Ministry said a drone entered the country’s airspace on Sept. 8 before flying back toward Moldova and crashing. One week later, Italian fighter jets serving in NATO’s air defense mission shot down a drone that crossed into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus. Italian officials said the aircraft was most likely Russian, while Lithuanian authorities continued investigating its origin.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs told The Guardian on Sept. 18 that European governments and NATO were struggling to keep up with the rapid evolution of drone warfare. He said weaknesses in air and missile defenses could leave countries across Europe exposed to potential Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy spoke after meeting Trump, saying he had discussed the possibility of a reciprocal pause in attacks on Russian and Ukrainian energy facilities. He also raised Ukraine’s request for more Patriot air defense missiles as winter approaches.

“We are ready,” Zelenskyy said of a potential agreement to halt energy strikes, adding that he was unsure whether Russia was prepared to reciprocate.

Zelenskyy also said Trump had expressed a willingness to help Ukraine obtain additional air defense capabilities, although no concrete commitment on immediate missile deliveries had been made.

The meeting came as Russia and Ukraine intensified aerial attacks, including strikes on energy infrastructure, ahead of the UN General Assembly.