As the war in Ukraine grinds on into its third year, new warnings have emerged suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be planning further military action beyond Ukraine.
According to U.S. intelligence expert Rebekah Koffler, Russia may be positioning itself for another offensive campaign. In a commentary published in The Telegraph, Koffler noted that although a direct assault on a NATO country is unlikely—unless NATO intervenes militarily in Ukraine—other nearby nations could be at risk.
“Russia is preparing for another military operation within the next few years,” Koffler wrote. “While I doubt NATO countries are Putin’s next immediate targets, a non-NATO post-Soviet state like Moldova could be vulnerable if the current war escalates.”
Rising Tensions and Ceasefire Efforts
The conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022 and has since claimed thousands of lives. Despite multiple international efforts to negotiate peace, including recent ceasefire proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump, hostilities persist.
Trump recently issued a warning to the Kremlin, stating that further sanctions could be imposed if progress toward peace isn’t made. Initially setting a 50-day deadline for ceasefire talks, Trump has now revised that timeline to just “10 or 12 days” during a press conference alongside British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland.
“I’m very disappointed with President Putin,” Trump said on Monday (July 28), citing continued missile strikes on civilian areas. “We thought we had it settled a few times, and then rockets land in a place like Kyiv, hitting nursing homes. That’s not the way to solve this.”
Ongoing Strikes and Casualties
Violence continues across Ukraine, with recent Russian drone and missile attacks targeting the northeastern Sumy region, injuring at least four people. Russian defense officials also claimed they intercepted 50 Ukrainian drones over the weekend, with one civilian reported dead and several injured near St. Petersburg.
Trump and Starmer are expected to continue discussing the war in Ukraine during their meetings in Scotland, along with the situation in Gaza and other global security issues.
Moldova in the Crosshairs?
Koffler’s analysis adds to growing concerns among Western intelligence communities that Moscow may seek to expand its influence in Eastern Europe. Moldova, a small post-Soviet republic bordering Ukraine, has long been viewed as a potential target due to its pro-Western government and unresolved tensions in the breakaway region of Transnistria, where Russian troops are stationed.
As the world watches developments in Ukraine, attention may soon shift to how NATO and the European Union will respond if Russia makes another move beyond its current war zone.