Zelenskyy: Putin wants to redraw Europe's borders, Finland and Sweden could be next
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
The Kremlin wants to reduce NATO's military presence in Europe. The countries concerned include Finland, Sweden, and the Baltic states, according to a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to journalists.
According to Zelenskyy, the US side raised the issue of creating a new security framework after the war ends. The discussion concerns possible changes to the global security architecture, primarily in Europe.
The Ukrainian president considers such discussions dangerous because Russia is interested in revising the existing security system on the continent. In his view, this is precisely why the US side involved the Russians in discussions on the matter.
Zelenskyy's concerns were heightened by Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements regarding borders. The president believes that the push to change Europe's borders is part of Russia's plan to revise security guarantees.
"It is a fact that Putin wants to redraw the borders in Europe. I am sure this is part of his concept of revising security guarantees in Europe," Zelenskyy said.
He also warned that such initiatives could lead to new wars or escalation. According to the president, he has already discussed the issue with representatives of the Nordic countries and other European partners. He urged them to take the potential risks seriously.
Which countries could become Putin's targets
Zelenskyy suggested that during discussions on a new European security architecture, the Russian leader could raise the issue of Finland and Sweden. In addition, the Ukrainian president believes Putin may bring up Hungary and the presence of US troops in the Baltic states.
"I think Putin will talk about Finland and Sweden. I am sure he will raise the issue of Hungary and the presence of Americans in the Baltic states. So if the Americans really want this kind of dialogue, supporting the 'Russians' initiative on Europe's security architecture, that is a matter for all European countries that are NATO members, not just one country."
At the same time, Zelenskyy said such negotiations should only take place after the war against Ukraine has ended.
The president warned against a situation in which issues related to a new security architecture are discussed before hostilities have ceased and Ukraine has been provided with security guarantees.
The issue of a new European security architecture was once again among the main topics of Ukraine-US-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11.
Moscow is once again insisting that NATO return to its 1997 positions. According to The New York Times, this was outlined in a document setting out the Kremlin's conditions for Europe's post-war arrangements, which the Russian side presented during the negotiations.
In addition, Russian diplomat Alexey Drobinin said that Moscow was open to concluding bilateral non-aggression pacts with individual NATO countries. According to him, such agreements could include additional security guarantees from Russia.
