Zelenskyy Warns of Potential Russian Attacks on European Countries

<p><strong>UNITED NATIONS - </strong>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on September 22, 2026, that Russia could launch attacks against other European countries, stating that the risk of a new offensive is "very high" as Moscow seeks to undermine European unity and weaken support for Ukraine.</p><p>Speaking to reporters following his meeting with President Donald Trump during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Zelenskyy was asked about the possibility of Russia invading or attacking another European country in the near future.</p><p>"That's why the risk of offensive by drones, missiles or land operation is very high against other countries who are bordering Russia or Belarus," Zelenskyy said.</p><p>The Ukrainian leader argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin, unable to achieve his military objectives in Ukraine, could seek to create instability elsewhere in Europe to pressure Western governments into reducing their support for Kyiv.</p><p>"How to divide unanimity in Europe? ... To attack somebody else. To attack and say, look, I will go further if you will not stop this," Zelenskyy said.</p><p>He pointed to drone incursions and disruptions affecting several European countries, arguing that Moscow is already attempting to intimidate European societies and test their response.</p><p>Zelenskyy stated that Putin's inability to secure a decisive victory in Ukraine could push him toward additional confrontations, as he faces pressure to justify the war to the Russian public.</p><p>When asked what European countries should do in response to the growing threat, Zelenskyy offered a direct answer: "Respond. Always respond. It's not about the war. If you don't respond, Russians, they will go further," he said.</p><p>The warning comes amid heightened concerns about Russian activity in Europe, following a series of Russian drone incursions and warnings from European leaders about the possibility of further attacks.</p><p>German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned on September 14 that peace in Europe was under threat, urging European countries to take the danger seriously. Speaking at an EU-Arctic Summit in Finland, Merz said Russia's presence in the region and its hybrid attacks elsewhere in Europe were increasing, calling for a united response from European countries and NATO.</p><p>The German leader's warning followed an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4, which German authorities publicly attributed to Russia on September 1.</p><p>Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued a separate warning on September 17 that Russia was planning drone or missile attacks against NATO countries supporting Ukraine, including Poland, while potentially portraying the incidents as accidental to weaken the alliance's response.</p><p>The concerns are not limited to hypothetical threats. On September 8, a drone entered Romanian airspace before returning to Moldova and crashing, according to Romania's Defense Ministry. A week later, Italian fighter jets operating under NATO's air defense mission shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus. Italian officials stated that the drone most likely came from Russia, although Lithuanian authorities were still investigating its origin.</p><p>Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs also warned in a September 18 interview that European countries and NATO were struggling to keep pace with developments in drone warfare, highlighting gaps in air and missile defenses that could leave European countries vulnerable to Russian attacks.</p><p>Zelenskyy's remarks followed talks with Trump in which he raised the possibility of a mutual halt to attacks on Russian and Ukrainian energy infrastructure, as well as Ukraine's need for additional Patriot air defense missiles ahead of winter.</p><p>"We are ready," Zelenskyy said of a potential agreement to halt energy strikes, adding that he was unsure whether Russia was prepared to reciprocate.</p><p>Zelenskyy also mentioned that Trump had expressed a willingness to help Ukraine obtain additional air defense capabilities, although no concrete commitment on immediate missile deliveries had been made. The meeting took place as Russia and Ukraine intensified aerial attacks, including strikes on energy infrastructure, ahead of the UN General Assembly.</p>