**Russia’s Military Threat to Europe Looms After Ukraine Conflict**
According to the chief of Ukrainian foreign intelligence, Oleh Ivashchenko, Russia will be able to restore its combat capabilities and launch an aggression against Europe within two to four years after hostilities in Ukraine end. This warning was shared in an interview with Ukrinform on May 26.
If sanctions are lifted, Russia’s rearmament process is expected to speed up significantly. Kyiv has already shared its estimates with European partners. Western officials have previously made similar predictions, highlighting the growing threat of a direct clash between Moscow and NATO after the Russian full-scale war against Ukraine ends.
**Russia’s Military Struggles in Ukraine**
Russia’s military is currently heavily engaged in Ukraine, suffering significant losses in manpower and equipment. Despite these challenges, Russia is rebuilding its forces at an alarming rate, according to Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. forces in Europe. The Ukrainian military estimates that Russia has suffered nearly 1 million casualties since the outbreak of the full-scale war.
**Sanctions Aimed at Restraining Russia’s Military Reconstitution**
To prevent Russia from reconstituting its forces, Western officials and Ukraine have imposed heavy sanctions aimed at cutting off supply chains and throttling Moscow’s economy. These efforts are seen as crucial in restraining Russia’s ability to launch a new aggression against Europe.
**US Officials at Odds Over Sanctions**
However, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed opposition to additional sanctions against Russia, citing the need not to disrupt peace efforts. This stance has dashed European hopes of a coordinated strategy to pressure Moscow into a ceasefire. The EU has pledged to ramp up sanctions if Russia continues to reject a ceasefire, and its 18th sanctions package is currently under discussion.
**The Importance of Independent Journalism**
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