Kremlin's 2026 plan: Occupation and potential NATO clash
The Kremlin plans to completely occupy Ukrainian regions by 2026, which may indicate preparations for war with NATO, reports Die Welt.
The Kremlin has set itself the goal of completely occupying the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions by 2026, reports Die Welt. German General Christian Freuding suggests that the intense arming of the Russian army indicates preparations for war with NATO. The Russian army is receiving even more tanks, ammunition, missiles, and drones, lists the military.
"Even if Donald Trump persuades Moscow to stop its activities in Ukraine, Russia will pose a serious threat to Europe in the coming years," believes Die Welt.
In October 2022, the Russian leader signed the "accession law," which effectively meant the annexation of four Ukrainian regions following pseudo-referendums.
War with NATO?
The German general emphasizes that Russia is not currently planning a direct conflict with the West but is preparing for war with NATO. According to data from the German army, Russia recruits about 30,000 soldiers every month, offering high salaries. "Russia has an impressive number of soldiers and a wide range of powerful equipment," says the head of the European Parliament's Security and Defense Committee, Marie Agnes Strack-Zimmermann.
Putin has tasted blood. To maintain peace, you must be able to defend yourself. If we do not understand this and Putin succeeds in Ukraine, attacks on one of the NATO countries in four to five years will be more than likely," says Strack-Zimmermann.
Military analyst Nico Lange warns against focusing solely on numbers. "Russia has the will to use brutal military force and is ready to incur heavy losses. This makes it extremely dangerous," says Lange. The expert also warns against direct and hybrid attacks by Russia on Poland and the Baltic states.
