Ukrainian soldiers firing an anti-aircraft weapon in Bakhmut.
Share and Follow

VLADIMIR Putin will launch an assault on Lithuania next if he conquers Ukraine, an ex-CIA boss has warned.

The caution comes as Zelensky slammed the Russian despot for “stalling peace talks” following his dismal attempts to get to the negotiating table.

Ukrainian soldiers firing an anti-aircraft weapon in Bakhmut.

Ukraine has accused Russia of ‘stalling’ peace’ talks after Putin’s failed attempts to get to the negotiating tableCredit: Reuters
Ukrainian soldier firing Msta-B artillery.

An ex-CIA boss has warned global leaders of a potential attack on LithuaniaCredit: Getty
Illustration of a map showing a potential Russian attack on Lithuania, with inset images of a tank and Vladimir Putin.

David Petraus, a retired US general and director of the CIA, warned an attack on the Baltic state would not be an isolated event but part of a longer-term plan to test the West.

Speaking at the Policy Exchange Think-Tank in London, Petraeus said Lithuania has “featured prominently” in Putin’s speeches meaning he might turn on the NATO state for his next assault.

After mad Vlad has installed a “puppet leader to control all of Ukraine” there’s a strong chance he will turn his “focus on one of the Baltic states,” he added.

Taking aim at Trump, he said the US had dithered too much on “individual decisions” and was giving the Russian president too many second chances – causing immeasurable losses for Ukraine.

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. 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).”

Ukraine responded yesterday saying: “The Russians’ fear of sending their ‘memorandum’ to Ukraine suggests that it is likely filled with unrealistic ultimatums, and they are afraid of revealing that they are stalling the peace process.”

His comments come after Trump issued Vlad with a two-week deadline for a ceasefire following Russia’s deadly attack on Ukraine earlier this week.

Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday: “I’m very disappointed at what happened a couple of nights now where people were killed in the middle of what you would call a negotiation.”

He added: “When I see rockets being shot into cities, that’s no good. We’re not going to allow it.”

Trump gives Putin two-week ceasefire DEADLINE – but can talks stop bloodbath?

When asked if Putin really wants to end the war, Trump replied: “I can’t tell you that, but I’ll let you know in about two weeks.

“Within two weeks. We’re gonna find out whether or not he’s tapping us along or not.

“And if he is, we’ll respond a little bit differently.”

One of the largest stumbling blocks which is delaying any peace deal is said to be over Putin’s desire to control his former Soviet states and keep them away from Nato.

General David Petraeus testifying at a Senate hearing.

David Petraeus called Trump out on giving Putin too many second chancesCredit: Reuters
Vladimir Putin at a videoconference.

The Russian despot says he wants assurance from NATO that it will stop expanding into countries eastwardCredit: AFP
Illustration of a possible post-war map of Ukraine, showing territorial divisions and troop deployments.

This includes Ukraine themselves with the Kremlin always saying Kyiv gaining access to the group is a complete no go under any circumstances.

Kyiv has repeatedly said that Moscow should have no say in its sovereign right to pursue Nato membership however.

He declared he will only call off the war in Ukraine if the West vows to keep its hands off Russia’s prized former Soviet states.

Putin even demanded he got the assurances in writing.

The Russian president said he wants a “written” pledge from Western leaders to stop Nato’s expansion to countries eastward, top Russian officials revealed to Reuters.

The eastward expansion refers to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet republics.

Putin is reportedly preparing for a major push to take more land in the north east.

Military analysts believe he is trying to press home his advantage and capture more Ukrainian land.

They warn that Putin only has a “four-month window” to get a breakthrough in Ukraine this year.

And this could be the beginning of Russia’s summer offensive targeting the border city of Kharkiv – the “fortress” city of Ukraine which put up the maximum resistance at the start of the invasion.

Reacting to the reports, German Chancellor Freidrich Merz predicted that peace was still a long way off.

He said: “Wars typically end because of economic or military exhaustion on one side or on both sides and in this war we are obviously still far from reaching that [situation].

“So we may have to prepare for a longer duration.”

David Petraeus speaking at an event.

Petraeus said Putin had often mentioned Lithuania in his speechesCredit: Getty
Vladimir Putin speaking at a meeting.

Putin is reportedly preparing for a major push to take more land in the north eastCredit: Getty
Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Parents of twins & bro, 8 & 10, held captive in nappies in Spanish ‘House of Horrors’ since Covid face 25 years in jail

THE parents of three children who were allegedly trapped in a hellish…

Israel to allow foreign aid to parachute into Gaza but continues bombardment despite growing global pleas for ceasefire

ISRAEL will allow foreign aid to parachute into Gaza despite continuing its…

California’s Urgent Alert: A New Democratic Move That Muzzles Public Voices

Buckle up, America. California’s Democratic machine is about to go full nuclear,…

Dozens killed as flash floods and landslides rip through the Philippines after fierce tropical storms

AT least 25 people have been killed and nearly 300,000 evacuated as…

Crypto lobby gains ground under Trump

96 <!– *{box-sizing:border-box}body{margin:0;padding:0}a[x-apple-data-detectors]{color:inherit!important;text-decoration:inherit!important}#MessageViewBody a{color:inherit;text-decoration:none}p{line-height:inherit}.desktop_hide,.desktop_hide table{mso-hide:all;display:none;max-height:0;overflow:hidden}.image_block img+div{display:none}sub,sup{font-size:75%;line-height:0}#converted-body .list_block ol,#converted-body .list_block ul,.body [class~=x_list_block] ol,.body…

Trump order aims to make it easier to remove the homeless off the streets

President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order making it easier for…

Boy, 14, cried ‘I want my mum’ as he was knifed 27 times on bus on way home from school – as smiling teen killers jailed

A BOY cried “I want my mum” as he was stabbed 27…

Brave rodeo queen influencer dies at just 22 after being diagnosed with cancer when hit on leg with a football

A RODEO queen influencer has died of cancer at just 22. Camila…