Russia's Vladimir Putin is preparing for a broader confrontation with Europe, evidenced by an uptick in hybrid attacks, according to Ukraine's former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Kuleba stated that Russia is fueling anti-European hysteria as preparation for conflict and warned that Putin will drag Europe into war, likely through drone attacks on critical infrastructure.
The former Ukrainian foreign minister's warning suggests a potential escalation of the conflict beyond Ukraine's borders, posing a direct threat to European security and NATO unity. Increased Russian hybrid warfare and potential drone attacks on critical infrastructure could destabilize European economies and political landscapes.
Russia's Vladimir Putin is preparing for a broader confrontation with Europe, evidenced by an uptick in hybrid attacks, according to Ukraine's former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Kuleba, who served as Ukraine's foreign policy chief from 2020 to September 2024, stated that Russia's continued war preparations and anti-European propaganda are signs that Putin is planning attacks on other European countries.
"Anti-European hysteria is being fueled in Russia, which I interpret as the preparation for a broader conflict with the rest of Europe," Kuleba said in an interview with the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network. "We [Ukrainians] don't have to drag you — Putin will drag you into the war."
European officials have noted an increase in Moscow's hybrid campaign across the continent in recent months, employing cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation to disrupt critical infrastructure and weaken support for Ukraine. Kuleba pointed to a failed drone attack on Leipzig airport in Germany in August as a sign of "growing preparation" for an offensive on the continent.
Despite the heightened tensions, Kuleba does not believe Russia is preparing a full-scale offensive beyond Ukraine. Instead, he anticipates attacks on NATO countries involving drones targeting key infrastructure, designed to test the alliance's unity and preparedness. "The truth is that Russia does not need 400,000 more people to wage that war. It needs five drones," he stated.
Kuleba no longer believes Putin can be persuaded to end the war through negotiations, describing him as "a guarantee of war." He emphasized that attempts at negotiating with Putin are a waste of time, contrasting Putin's "victory and defeat" approach with Europe's "win-win" political culture.
Furthermore, Kuleba warned that Ukraine would face its worst winter yet as Moscow intensifies attacks on civilians. Recent Russian strikes have targeted energy infrastructure, transport links, and civilian sites, disrupting essential services as winter approaches. Kuleba explained that these bombings are a direct consequence of Russia's battlefield failures and aim to break the will of Ukrainians and their international supporters. He believes Ukraine is resilient enough to get through the winter, though the cost will be significantly higher than in the previous year.
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