Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia is waging a hybrid war against European countries with the aim of increasing pressure on their societies and authorities and forcing them to abandon aid to Kyiv. The head of state announced this during an online address at the Hudson Institute in Washington, highlighting massive security threats across the continent.
Hybrid Attacks and Threats on the European Direction
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Russian hybrid operations are directed not only against Ukraine, but also against former Soviet republics and other European states. According to him, drone incidents have been recorded in Romania, Germany, Poland, Moldova, and Bulgaria, while on October 23, 2026, a vessel was destroyed in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania. The president noted that Moscow is actively using drones to pressure Europe, block shipping, and attack transport corridors for agricultural products and energy resources.
In the assessment of the Ukrainian leader, the Kremlin intends to sow fear among Europeans and force them to focus exclusively on their own defense to the detriment of supporting Ukraine. Additionally, Moscow seeks to split the European Union by threatening cyberattacks and new provocations. Amid these challenges, the president also mentioned Russia's plans to mobilize 300,000 military personnel, the extent of whose deployment against Ukraine is still being evaluated.
Assessment of Europe's Readiness and Security Risks
The head of state drew attention to the fact that some European countries do not fully realize the severity of the threat, believing that the military conflict will remain localized on the eastern flank. Many states are trying to strengthen their own defense by purchasing missile and drone interception equipment, but Zelenskyy warned that defending against the aggressor alone will be extremely difficult.
The president emphasized that Europe's security directly depends on the resilience of Ukraine's defense. In the event of a breach of Ukrainian lines, no single country on the continent will be able to independently withstand a force ready to destroy civilians by any means. This is why Ukraine must remain a key element of the European and NATO security systems.
The Importance of Unity and the Inadmissibility of Compromise with Weakness
Concluding his speech, the president warned Western partners against attempts to reach agreements with Moscow solely through diplomatic means without strengthening real defense capabilities. Attempts to find a compromise while showing weakness will only provoke new attacks and the Kremlin's desire to achieve the easing of sanctions and the unfreezing of assets.
To ensure stable peace and security, democratic countries must maintain resolve, strength, and close coordination of actions. Reliable defense of the continent is possible only under the condition of comprehensive support for Ukraine and the suppression of any attempts by the aggressor to dictate its terms.
