Zelensky Warns Russia Preparing For Big War in Europe Soon

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Newsweek that Kyiv believes Moscow is preparing for a "big war" on the European continent that could begin in 2029 or 2030, framing the period ahead as a critical window for action. The warning, published on November 13, 2025, places fresh urgency on Western policy debates over weapons transfers, sanctions and energy ties with Russia, and it reframes the conflict not as a singular battle but as a possible sustained campaign to reshape security in Europe.

Zelensky urged allies to think beyond immediate battlefield needs and to pursue measures that would reduce Russia's long term capacity to wage war. He said, "But we have to recognize that they want a big war and prepare to be ready in 2029 or 2030 in this period of time to begin such a big war on the European continent. We look at this like a really big challenge." He added that allies must act to starve Moscow of revenue and matériel, noting the continuing flow of energy income and arms that sustain Russia's military effort. "I think that we have to think about how to stop them now in Ukraine. But also to do everything to decrease their capabilities. Not to give them money, which they still can get from energy. And not to give them weapons. So, this is the problem we have to think about."

The assessment illuminates a strategic calculation in Kyiv. Ukrainian leaders have increasingly framed their struggle as not only territorial defense but also as part of a contest over the future balance of power in Europe. If the timeline that Kyiv lays out is accurate, Western governments face a choice between accelerating measures to degrade Russian military reach now, or accepting a period of relative weakness that could allow Moscow to reconstitute forces and capabilities.

For European capitals this presents intertwining policy dilemmas. The first concerns military assistance to Ukraine. Supplying Kyiv strengthens its immediate defense and complicates Moscow's capacity to project force. At the same time, Zelensky's appeal to withhold resources that bolster Russia underscores the enduring challenge of severing energy revenues that underwrite Moscow's budget. The second dilemma concerns energy policy and economic resilience. Many European states remain reliant on Russian fossil fuel networks or on markets tied to Russian exports, a vulnerability that can blunt the effectiveness of sanctions and leave Russia with financial lifelines.

The warning also complicates NATO politics. An expanded timeline for potential large scale conflict calls for sustained investment in deterrence, shorelines of collective defense and interoperability among allies. It raises questions about long term force posture, stockpiles and the political will to maintain high levels of defense spending across a diverse alliance. Diplomatically, it will test Washington and Brussels as they attempt to balance deterrence and de escalation while responding to Kyiv's insistence that reductions in Russian capability be a central objective.

International law and the norms of sovereignty remain central to Kyiv's appeal. Framing Moscow as preparing for a continental war draws on historical memories across Europe and invites a broader coalition response rooted in law enforcement, sanctions and collective security. How Western and regional actors respond in the coming years will shape not only the fate of Ukraine but the structure of European security for decades.