Zelensky warns that cutting European aid to Ukraine could fuel Russian hybrid attacks
President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with DR Nyheder that ending European assistance to Ukraine could have dangerous or very dangerous consequences. He identified a surge in Russian hybrid attacks and further Russian expansion in Europe as two possible outcomes, stressing that a strong Ukraine is essential to European security.
L'essentiel
- Zelensky described a surge in Russian hybrid attacks as the first, "softer" scenario if European aid ends.
- He identified further Russian expansion in Europe as the second, more serious scenario.
- Russia has already used hybrid attacks in Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Finland and Denmark, according to Zelensky.
- The president said the situation could affect NATO members, particularly the Baltic states and Moldova.
- Zelensky warned that Russia could blockade the Baltic Sea as it currently blocks the Black Sea.
- EU leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan.
- Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Czechia indicated they would not contribute to further financial assistance for Kyiv.
Pourquoi c’est important
Zelensky framed continued European assistance to Ukraine as an issue of security across the continent rather than a matter limited to Ukraine. A potential Russian expansion could affect NATO members and prompt a wider response involving Europe and the United States, while disruption of maritime routes and increased hybrid activity could affect multiple European countries.
Ce qui s’est passé
In an interview with DR Nyheder, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that ending European assistance to Ukraine could have dangerous or very dangerous consequences. He described a surge in Russian hybrid attacks against European countries as the first, "softer" scenario, and further Russian expansion in Europe as the second and worse scenario. According to Zelensky, Russia has already used hybrid attacks in Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Finland and Denmark. He said the expansion of Russian influence could affect NATO members, including the Baltic states and Moldova, potentially requiring a response from NATO, Europe and the United States. He also warned that Russia could blockade the Baltic Sea as it currently blocks the Black Sea. Zelensky argued that Europe needs a strong Ukraine and that scepticism toward supporting Kyiv serves no European country's interests.
Ce qu’en disent les sources ukrainiennes
Ukrainian coverage centres on Zelensky's warning that reduced European support would expose the entire continent to increased Russian hybrid activity and expansion. It highlights the Baltic states and Moldova as potentially affected areas, as well as possible Russian maritime threats, a NATO response and the involvement of Europe and the United States. The central argument is that continued assistance and a strong Ukraine are necessary for European security.
Contexte
EU leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan. Kyiv said it would need approximately €70 billion in additional financing the following year, while the EU promised to cover about two-thirds of that requirement, or roughly €45 billion. Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Czechia indicated they would not contribute to further financial assistance for Kyiv. Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia had also secured relief from paying interest on the €90 billion loan the previous year.