Zelensky claims Russia may attack Nato country ‘next year’ as he pushes for security guarantees

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky Friday (February 14) said Russia may attack a Nato country “next year” in the absence of concrete security guarantees.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky claimed President Vladimir Putin of Russia may set his eyes on Poland or the Baltics next.

However, he said it was solely his own opinion and “maybe somebody knows more than me.”

“They can go forward to Ukraine, or they will go to Poland or to the Baltics, and I think this is his idea. And I think that all I’ve got from intelligence … is that he’s preparing the war against Nato countries next year,” said Zelensky.

“That is what I think, I don’t know, I don’t have 100 per cent, … but God bless, we will stop this crazy guy,” he added.

Zelensky then stressed the need to have security guarantees from Russia, saying Kyiv was willing to adjust its position on Nato membership.

He said: “Do we want to be in Nato? Yes. But is it just about the word ‘Nato’? No – it’s about security guarantees.”

‘Ready for talks with Putin’

Zelensky said that he was willing to have direct talks with Russia after Kyiv reached a common position with the US and Europe on how to end the conflict.

“We are ready for any conversations with America and our allies. If they provide us with specific answers to specific requests from us and a common understanding of the dangerous Putin, then, with our unified understanding, we will be ready to talk with the Russians,” said Zelensky.

It comes after the Ukrainian leader warned that he won’t accept any peace deal struck without Kyiv’s involvement.

Zelensky raised the concerns following a phone call between Putin and US President Donald Trump, during which the two leaders agreed on staring negotiations “immediately.”

‘Kyiv will never recognise occupied territories as Russian’

Zelensky made it clear that his only red line was to accept Russia-occupied regions as Russian.

“Legally, we will never recognise these territories as ‘Russian’ or anything else – they are Ukrainian. That is a firm red line; it’s in our constitution. And only the people of Ukraine can decide this,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)