Zelenskyy: Without Ukraine, Putin will occupy all of Europe, and it will be unable to do anything
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
If Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to attack Europe, he will be able to occupy it. European countries do not have enough soldiers to deter Russia, states President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with The Economist.
The head of the Ukrainian state noted that Russia currently has around 220 combat brigades. In comparison, Ukraine has 110 combat brigades, while Europe has 80.
"Do you understand what is happening? Without Ukraine, Europe will be occupied. Without the help of the United States, he will gradually eat us, because we are twice as small," Zelenskyy emphasized.
He reminded that an attacking side needs to have three times more combat brigades to successfully capture enemy territory and achieve victory. Therefore, to occupy Ukraine, Putin would need not 220 brigades, but 330.
"In Europe there are 80. Tomorrow, if he turns around and goes to Europe, he will occupy all of Europe. Europe won’t be able to do anything. Nothing. This is very serious. That is, Ukraine is not just defending itself. Ukraine is holding back 1m Russians. We are holding back 1m troops of the Russian Federation just by fighting them. If tomorrow Putin says, “I’m not going to you anymore, I’ve gone to Europe.” What will Europe do?" the president pointed out.
Russian threat to Europe
Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Europe would not be able to provide Ukraine with security guarantees without the support of the United States.
He made this statement amid discussions about the possibility of sending European peacekeepers to Ukraine to monitor a ceasefire if Kyiv reaches an agreement with Moscow.
At the same time, European countries could face the threat of occupation due to the significant numerical advantage of the Russian army in terms of brigades.
