Russia has not officially announced its intention to go beyond the Ukrainian’s border, but Moscow has also previously stated that it will not invade Ukraine. What is the probability that Russia attacks Europe?
Putin’s speech that shocked the world
In a televised address as Russia’s attack on Ukraine has begun, President Vladimir Putin warned other countries that any attempt to intervene into this situation «will lead to implications that you have never met in history.»
Will Putin attack Europe?
Karin von Hippel, who was a non-political senior adviser at the US State Department during the Obama administration, suggested that President Putin can potentially target non-NATO countries in Eastern Europe such as Moldova and Georgia.
He added that if the Russian leader «starts to slowly expand his empire, there will be several other places in NATO that are going to be extremely stressed out.»
“It’s very unclear at this stage that anyone can convince Putin to do anything other than what he wants to do,” he said.
President Lukashenko is a close ally of President Putin, and Russia has been able to use his country as a launchpad for air and missile attacks on Ukraine.
Based on a map shown during the televised broadcast from President Lukashenko, their plans may go beyond Ukraine.
The map showed attack plans for Ukraine, but also displayed a possible route into Moldova from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, via a large red arrow.
It also showed red shading around the Moldovan border, potentially indicating plans for an occupation.
If Russia were to invade Moldova or Georgia the situation is likely to be similar to that of Ukraine, in that NATO forces including the UK and US would support Moldova by sending both military and non-military aid, but would not engage in battle with Russian troops directly.