Conflicts

Vladimir Putin could target Africa or the Middle East to retaliate against U.S. and European support for Ukraine.

This week, the United States and the United Kingdom authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles directly on Russian territory. In response, Moscow fired a medium-range intercontinental ballistic missile in Ukraine for the first time.

According to security expert Nicholas Drummond, Africa could be an ideal target for Russia, leveraging its influence there to undermine Western nations.

He told The Daily Express: "Putin wants payback for Europe helping Ukraine, so he will step up activities in the grey zone too. He will also target Africa and the Middle East for natural resources and to be a nuisance. "Putin is a dangerous guy, a very dangerous guy and he wants Russia to be a superpower again."

The expert also warned that Europe should brace for the possibility of a Russian invasion if Moscow achieves its goals in Ukraine.

"I don't think he will go for the Baltic states, but he could do. There are NATO troops in the Baltics so that would immediately spark an Article 5 event. This would dramatically escalate things," the expert added.

(QG - Source: The Daily Express / Picture: © Pixabay)