Putin could start a war in Europe — The Washington Post

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the issue of European security has once again come to the forefront. According to analysis by The Washington Post, Vladimir Putin is under pressure from multiple directions simultaneously.

 

Despite suffering significant losses, the Russian army has been unable to achieve decisive results in Ukraine. At the same time, the country's external support capabilities are limited, and relations with Europe have weakened.

 

Analysts estimate that under such conditions, Putin may consider the possibility of starting a new war against Europe before Western nations fully rearm.

 

The position of the United States could play a separate role in these calculations, as President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO, causing concern among European allies.

 

Carnegie Endowment expert Eugene Rumer noted that while the war in Ukraine has weakened Russia, it could also make it more aggressive. This poses a long-term risk for Europe.

 

Military analyst Michael Kofman also pointed out that Russia has been unable to achieve serious breakthroughs on the front. This situation could spur the search for new strategies.

 

Rhetoric from Russia towards European states is also intensifying. In particular, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation issued a statement about the possibility of striking countries supplying unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands. Such statements resonate alongside the sharp rhetoric of Russian officials, including former President Dmitry Medvedev.

 

Analysts warn that if the situation escalates further, Russia could resort to risky steps, particularly attempting to test NATO's cohesion. Among potential scenarios, the possibility of pressuring or even attacking Baltic countries to demonstrate the weakness of the alliance's collective security mechanisms is being mentioned.

 

Experts believe the war against Ukraine remains a key factor for the security of the entire West. Its development will precisely determine Russia's next moves and the level of threats to Europe in the coming years.