Russia preparing 15 divisions in Belarus, may target NATO next year — Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during his communication with journalists at the Munich Security Conference. 

In response to a question about whether, if Ukraine agrees to a so-called compromise peace, there are risks that Russia could attack Ukraine again after some time, Zelenskyy said this would happen if there are no security guarantees. However, the threat is not only for Ukraine.

"And do you know what is happening in Belarus? This year, Russia will prepare 15 divisions for training and reinforcing the situation on the Belarusian front. We believe they will all or partially be on Belarusian territory. This will amount to 100-150 thousand people. And I'm not sure that this large group will launch an attack specifically on Ukraine. It could happen. They could go to Ukraine, as they did in 2022. Or they could go to Poland or the Baltic States," he said.

Zelenskyy added that Putin is likely preparing for a war against NATO countries next year. 

"I don't know this for sure. But I think that's his plan. Based on all the information I get from intelligence, I believe he is preparing for a war with NATO countries next year," he said.

The President of Ukraine emphasized that there is no 100% certainty about such a development of events and expressed hope that this can be prevented.

• Before the Ukraine-NATO Council meeting, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, emphasizing that Ukraine is not abandoning its NATO membership path.