Dmytro Kuleba, the former Ukrainian Foreign Minister, warned about the likelihood of increased tensions between Russia and Europe, stating that Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, is preparing for a broader conflict with the European continent. In an interview with the Global Reporters network, Axel Springer, Kuleba stated that the rise in anti-European propaganda and Russia's military preparations indicate Putin's plans for attacks on other European countries.
The Dangers of War in Europe
Kuleba emphasized, "The anti-European hysteria in Russia is escalating, which I interpret as preparation for a broader conflict with the rest of Europe." He also stressed, "We Ukrainians do not need to drag you into war — Putin will drag you into war."
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European officials have also stated that Moscow has increased its hybrid campaign on the continent in recent months, using cyberattacks, sabotage, and misinformation to disrupt critical infrastructure and weaken support for Ukraine.
Analysis of Recent Attacks
Kuleba referred to the unsuccessful drone attack on Leipzig Airport in Germany as a sign of "growing preparations" for an attack on the continent. He said, "They see how your intelligence operates. They see how your security forces operate. They see how you react and draw conclusions."
The German government concluded after the incident that Moscow was responsible for the attack and issued an order to review security around sensitive locations. However, Kuleba, who resigned as Ukraine's Foreign Minister in September 2024, believes that Russia is not preparing for a full-scale attack beyond Ukraine. He believes that Moscow is likely seeking to attack NATO countries using drones and targeting key infrastructure to test the unity and readiness of the alliance.
Kuleba emphasized, "The reality is that Russia does not need 400,000 more people for war. It only needs five drones." He added, "In the event of an attack, [Europeans] can request NATO consultation... they can request caution. But this only encourages Putin to take the next step... he will always have enough drone and missile capabilities."
He also stated that he no longer believes that Putin can be convinced to end the war through negotiations, saying, "He is not looking for a solution, and there is no moment when he will start searching for one." Kuleba continued, "Putin is a guarantee of war: anyone after Putin will have a chance for peace."
Kuleba warned of the worst winter for Ukraine, stating that Moscow is seeking to increase attacks against civilians to break their morale. In recent months, Russian attacks have targeted Ukraine's energy and transportation infrastructure, damaging homes and civilian locations such as bus stations, schools, and internet centers.
He stated, "The bombing of cities is a direct result of Russia's failure on the battlefield. The main goal of Russian drones and missiles is the will of Ukrainians to resist — but also the will of Ukraine's friends abroad to continue supporting it."
Kuleba described the worst-case scenario in Ukraine as "the collapse of the systems that make life in a large city possible," such as electricity, water, and sewage services. In response to the question of whether Russia could succeed, he said, "I believe Ukraine is larger, more mobile, and more adaptable than that. That’s why I think we will get through this winter." He also added, "The price of this winter will be much higher than last year."
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