Russia could attack a NATO member 'within five years', Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told Sky News that Vladimir Putin could attack a NATO country within five years to test the alliance.

The Ukrainian president made the comments in an interview with chief presenter Mark Austin.

But when asked if Russia could attack within months, Mr Zelenskyy said he did not "believe [Putin] is ready".

Mr Zelenskyy also said plans for NATO members to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 are "very slow" - adding: "We believe that, starting from 2030, Putin can have significantly greater capabilities.

"Today, Ukraine is holding him up, he has no time to drill the army."

Russia's soldiers are "all getting annihilated and wiped out at the battlefield", he warned.

"In any case, [Putin] needs a pause, he needs sanctions to be lifted, he needs a drilled army.

"And 10 years is a very long time. He will have a new army ready [by then]."

In a wide-ranging interview, the Ukrainian president said:

• Tensions in the Middle East may mean Ukraine gets less aid from partners including the US - meaning "Russia will feel the advantage on the battlefield"

• British missile components are making their way into Russia

• He may not be the best man to lead Ukraine through the rest of the war, but he is "the most experienced"

• The US and Russia "may be short-term partners, but they will never be friends" while Donald Trump is in power

• Mr Zelenskyy also refused to answer whether he felt "bullied" during their disastrous Oval Office meeting - but said he "conducted himself honestly"

The UK and its NATO allies will formally sign off the defence spending plans when the heads of state and government meet in The Hague on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The spending goal is broken down into 3.5% of GDP to be spent on pure defence and 1.5% of GDP on related areas, such as infrastructure and cybersecurity.

Defence spending of 5% is the kind of level invested by NATO allies during the Cold War.

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Mr Zelenskyy met Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle at parliament on Monday, before travelling to Windsor Castle for a meeting with the King.

The Ukrainian president has been invited to the NATO summit, but will not take part in its main discussions. It is still unclear whether he will attend.

(c) Sky News 2025: Russia could attack a NATO member 'within five years', Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns