Putin expands Russian army for war, and not just against Ukraine — Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy stated this in his evening address.

Citing Ukrainian intelligence, the president noted that Russian forces are creating new divisions and expanding military production. Zelenskyy believes it is evident that Russia will continue to deepen its cooperation with North Korea. He added that Moscow is also spreading modern warfare technologies, including drone technology, to that region.

"This means one simple thing: Putin is not preparing for negotiations or peace, but for the continuation of war - not only against us, against Ukraine. They are now increasing their army by more than 100,000 soldiers. All partners must be aware of this and see it clearly. We are ready to share the relevant information, and intelligence agencies are already engaged in the necessary communication," Zelenskyy emphasized.

According to the president, it is crucial to recognize the threats and the tools for countering them.

"There must be a clear understanding that here, in Europe, every country will have to strengthen its defense, and the goal of allocating 5% of GDP for defense will remain on the agenda," he stressed.

• Lithuania and Estonia have become the first NATO countries to commit to spending 5% of their GDP on defense, as demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump.