Zelensky warns of Russian military buildup, potential NATO threat in 2026

Russia is preparing for a major military escalation, potentially targeting NATO countries next year, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press conference in Munich on Feb. 14.

Zelensky said that Russia plans to deploy 15 divisions, totaling 100,000 to 150,000 troops, primarily in Belarus.

While the buildup could focus on Ukraine, he cautioned that Russian forces might shift toward Poland or the Baltics, raising concerns about a broader conflict with NATO.

"Based on all the information I've gathered from intelligence and other sources, I think he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) is preparing for war against NATO countries next year," Zelensky said.

"It's just a large group. And I'm not sure this group will move towards Ukraine."

In a Feb. 12 interview with The Guardian, Zelensky underscored that Europe's security depends on Ukraine's continued resistance to Russian aggression.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine fields 110 brigades, while Russia has 220 brigades and plans to expand to 250 this year. Europe, including U.S. troops stationed there, has only about 82 combat brigades.

Ukraine's military consists of 880,000 soldiers, tasked with defending the entire country against the 600,000 Russian troops concentrated in specific areas, the president said on Jan. 15