Zelenskyy warns Europe faces two grim scenarios without support for Ukraine
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Cutting off aid to Ukraine could have serious consequences for all of Europe. Russia may intensify its hybrid attacks against European countries or attempt to expand its influence across the territories of the former Soviet Union, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says in an interview with DR Nyheder.
The head of state emphasizes that skepticism toward supporting Ukraine is not in the interests of European countries. According to him, this issue is not only about aid to Kyiv but also about countering Russia, which opposes European rules and values.
Zelenskyy notes that, from a pragmatic standpoint, a strong Ukraine is important and even necessary for Europe. If support were to cease, the consequences could be of two types: dangerous or very dangerous.
Scenario 1: Russia will intensify hybrid attacks
According to the President of Ukraine, in the less dangerous scenario, Moscow will continue hybrid operations against European states that have already been targeted on multiple occasions.
Zelenskyy mentions Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, as well as Northern European countries, particularly Finland and Denmark. He suggests that without support for Ukraine, such actions by Russia could become widespread.
The head of state calls this a mild scenario compared to other possible outcomes.
Scenario 2: Russia will attempt to advance further into Europe
A far more serious threat, according to Zelenskyy, is that Russia may attempt to restore its influence across the territories of the former Soviet Union.
The President of Ukraine notes that Vladimir Putin seeks to return to the Soviet model of influence. This could primarily affect the Baltic states and Moldova.
Since the Baltic states are members of NATO, any threat to their security could compel the Alliance to respond. In such a case, all of Europe and the United States could be drawn into the conflict.
Separately, Zelenskyy draws attention to the risks at sea. He does not rule out that Russia might attempt to block the Baltic Sea in the same way that, in his words, it is blocking the Black Sea.
Russia's hybrid war
In Europe, there is increasing talk that the Russian threat is not limited to military operations in Ukraine.
In August, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated that Russia's hybrid war against EU countries is already underway. According to him, Western intelligence agencies are investigating acts of sabotage, arson, assassination attempts, and provocations, while Russian intelligence agencies may be preparing new attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic states and Poland.
NATO has also warned that Moscow is using hybrid methods of pressure, including drones, sabotage, and cyberattacks. In late September, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia is attempting to drive a wedge between allies and divert their attention away from Ukraine.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed that the main goal of Russia's hybrid attacks was to force allies to withdraw their support for Ukraine. In his view, the response to such actions should be not a reduction but an increase in aid to Kyiv.
