Camilla Jessen
Ukraine’s president warns that Russia’s massive military spending and support from allies like China, Iran, and North Korea threaten to drag more countries into a global conflict.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian President Vladimir Putin has spent more than $1 trillion in the three years since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine — and the war machine isn’t slowing down.
In an interview with CBS News published on April 14, Zelenskyy warned that the conflict is no longer just between Russia and Ukraine.
Three countries are already involved in this war. And others will be involved. Or more troops from these countries will be involved if this war is not stopped,” he said. “The North Koreans, Chinese, and Iranians have started making money on this. And when the war continues, and billions are spent, and Putin has already spent $1 trillion in three years of war, more than $1 trillion on this war, then these countries will not want to stop.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the longer the war drags on, the more these countries profit — and the less likely they are to back out.
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According to Zelenskyy, Russian factories are operating around the clock to produce weapons and military supplies.
The scale, he said, now matches or even surpasses that of Europe.
Putin is already producing as many weapons as all of Europe, risking all of Europe,” he said. “Putin’s ambition is to conquer us. But everyone in the world knows. Everyone knows about war and historical wars. If we don’t stop it, it will continue.
This warning comes as Western support for Ukraine has shown signs of strain, with delays in military aid from the U.S. and debates across Europe about how best to respond to Moscow’s growing aggression.
Zelenskyy’s comments echo a broader concern voiced by military leaders across NATO.
In a recent interview with BR24 on March 31, German General Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, warned that Russia’s rearmament could lead to a larger war with NATO by 2029 if current trends continue.
As Russia deepens its partnerships with countries like North Korea and Iran — both of which have provided weapons and drones — fears are growing that the war in Ukraine is setting the stage for an even broader conflict.
