Zelensky vows to resign after the war and warns Moscow about 'shelters'
NATO has indicated a more stringent stance against Russia as tensions continue to escalate in the Ukraine war. Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that member states may shoot down Russian drones or fighter jets if they enter NATO airspace — but only in extreme necessity. His statements align with the position of U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently urged NATO to take stronger defensive measures. This announcement is viewed as a sharp escalation, especially after repeated reports of Russian aircraft entering the airspace of Estonia, Poland, and Romania.
At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would resign as soon as the war is over, confirming that he does not plan to lead Ukraine in peacetime. He explained that new elections would be held after a ceasefire is reached, while also issuing a stern warning to Moscow: if Russia continues its aggression, its leaders will need bomb shelters. Zelensky also revealed that he asked Trump to provide his country with a powerful weapons system, which he believes could force the Kremlin to enter negotiations — but he refused to disclose the nature of this system.
The military situation on the ground remains concerning. A Russian missile targeted a Ukrainian training center, resulting in casualties whose numbers have not been announced. Similar attacks in recent months have claimed dozens of lives and injured many. At the same time, Russia claims that its forces are making slow progress in the town of Kupiansk in the east of the country, while Ukraine denies the extent of this progress. Both sides confirm that the fighting is intense, while civilians continue to suffer under harsh conditions in the confrontation city.
Diplomatic tensions have escalated after Trump described Russia as a "paper tiger." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected this description, asserting that Russia is a "real bear" and that its economy is stable despite sanctions. Meanwhile, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accused Trump of temporarily falling into a "false world" promoted by Kyiv, but he predicted that the American president would eventually return to a more positive stance towards Moscow. Nevertheless, Trump continues to present himself as a "game changer" in the war, while Zelensky hinted that the American president possesses sensitive information about the battlefronts.
Across Europe, the level of alert has risen. Poland has activated its air defenses following reports of Russian missiles and drones heading towards its territory, while Estonia has officially requested consultations with NATO under Article 4 of the alliance treaty. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemned Russia's repeated violations of European airspace, describing them as "very serious provocations." As political rhetoric and military clashes escalate, NATO leaders appear determined to raise the level of confrontation, increasing fears that the conflict may extend beyond Ukraine's borders.