As the war in Ukraine drags into its third year with no clear end in sight, fresh warnings are surfacing that Russian President Vladimir Putin may already be laying the groundwork for his next military campaign.
U.S. intelligence expert Rebekah Koffler believes the Kremlin is preparing for future offensives—and this time, another country may be in danger. In a stark analysis published by The Telegraph, Koffler stated that while an assault on NATO territory remains unlikely unless NATO directly intervenes in Ukraine, non-NATO nations are at serious risk.
“Russia is preparing for another military operation within the next few years,” Koffler warned. “While I doubt NATO countries are Putin’s next immediate targets, a non-NATO post-Soviet state like Moldova could be vulnerable if the current war escalates.”
Ceasefire Hopes Dwindle as War Rages On
Since February 2022, the conflict in Ukraine has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. Despite repeated international peace efforts—including recent proposals from former U.S. President Donald Trump—the violence shows no signs of slowing.
Trump, speaking alongside British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland, announced that his original 50-day ceasefire proposal has now been shortened to just “10 or 12 days.”
“I’m very disappointed with President Putin,” Trump said on July 28, condemning renewed missile strikes on civilian targets. “We thought we had it settled a few times, and then rockets land in a place like Kyiv, hitting nursing homes. That’s not the way to solve this.”
Drone Attacks and Mounting Casualties
On the battlefield, Russian drone and missile strikes have intensified, with the northeastern Ukrainian region of Sumy suffering recent attacks that injured at least four people. Meanwhile, Russian officials claim to have intercepted 50 Ukrainian drones over the weekend, though at least one civilian was killed and several more wounded near St. Petersburg.
Global leaders, including Trump and Starmer, continue to meet this week to address the growing crisis—not only in Ukraine, but also rising tensions in Gaza and other conflict zones.
Moldova: The Next Flashpoint?
Koffler’s warnings have sparked renewed concern in Western intelligence circles, particularly about Moldova—a small, post-Soviet republic bordering Ukraine. With its pro-Western leadership and unresolved conflict in the Russian-backed breakaway region of Transnistria, Moldova could become the next geopolitical flashpoint if Russia seeks to expand its influence.
As Putin remains defiant and the war in Ukraine shows no signs of resolution, the world is watching closely. The next move, experts say, could reshape the map of Eastern Europe once again.