Ukraine’s president said a mass call-up in Russia would mark a dangerous escalation.
“Mobilization means a decline in the popularity of the leader of the Russian Federation. Only for this reason, he has not carried it out,” Zelenskiy told reporters.
“If there is a mobilization, it will be a challenge for Europe. It will start a great war,” he said, arguing the Kremlin weighed the political cost of conscription against paying “large sums” for military contracts and chose the latter to protect Putin’s standing.
Zelenskiy said the risk of escalation persists because Putin “must sell success.” In his view, the Russian leader has exhausted achievements he can present from the war in Ukraine.
“You see, as I said, the product is already of poor quality,” Zelenskiy said, accusing Moscow of “selling the lie that he can achieve something in the war against Ukraine.”
He framed any new mobilization as a signal that the Kremlin is preparing for a larger confrontation beyond Ukraine, reiterating that Europe would face direct consequences if Russia expands its war effort.
Zelenskiy did not provide details on timing or scope of a potential draft in Russia, but returned to his central claim that the Kremlin’s restraint so far reflects domestic political calculations rather than reduced military ambitions.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24