Former CIA boss reveals which European country Putin plans to invade next
30 May 2025, 10:32
Former CIA boss David Petraeus has shared chilling fears Putin could invade another European country as he escalates Russian attacks in Ukraine.
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Mr Petraeus claims Putin, 72, plans to launch a military offensive in NATO country Lithuania if he successfully ‘installs a Russian puppet’ to lead Ukraine.
The 72-year-old told the Policy Exchange think-tank in London in footage obtained by the Daily Mail: "Once that's done, you are going to see them focus on one of the Baltic states.
“Lithuania has featured prominently in his speeches and we should have listened a lot more.”
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Mr Petraeus also criticised the US government’s response to the Ukraine war.
Calling out Donald Trump for repeatedly granting Putin second chances, he said: “What we've seen is three incidences where the US President has threatened that in two weeks we'll have to take a different approach.
"We'll see this time what actually happens.”
Mr Petraeus then took aim at former president Joe Biden, 82, for failing to provide Ukraine with suitable military resources.
He said: “The US also temporised far too long over individual decisions such as M1 [Abrams] tanks. A blind man on a dark night could see it had to be the F-16 [a multi- role fighter aircraft].
“There were no more MiGs anywhere in Europe we could provide them [the Ukrainians] with, it had to be F-16s.
“The same with multiple-launch rocket systems, the improved conventional munitions and lifting the limits [on their use].
“This was very unhelpful to the Ukrainians. Each time they'd have to ask and wait, and then we'd say no, and then maybe, and then eventually they'd get it.”
The US has threatened Russia with abandoning peace talks if Putin rejects a proposed 30-day ceasefire.
Acting deputy US ambassador John Kelley said: "If Russia makes the wrong decision to continue this catastrophic war, the United States will have to consider stepping back from our negotiation efforts to end this conflict.
"We want to work with Russia, including on this peace initiative and an economic package. There is no military solution to this conflict.
"The deal on offer now is Russia's best possible outcome. President Putin should take the deal."
Last night, Russian forces launched a massive drone attack in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region.
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