Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Vladimir Putin could attack a NATO country within five years, criticizing Western leaders for losing focus on Ukraine as attention shifts to the escalating Iran crisis.

NATO’s Defense Spending ‘Too Slow, Too Late’

Zelenskyy expressed deep concern over NATO’s proposed pledge to allocate 5% of GDP toward defense by 2035, saying it fails to match the urgency of the threat. “We’re talking about 10 years from now—but Putin will be ready in just five,” he told Sky News. The Ukrainian president argued that the timeline allows Russia enough breathing room to rebuild and reorganize its military after sustaining massive losses in Ukraine.

He warned that the Russian leader might strike a NATO country next in order to challenge the credibility of Article 5, the mutual defense clause that underpins the alliance. “He will try to test NATO. He is preparing for this,” Zelenskyy said.

Western Sanctions Are ‘Leaking’

Another key point in the interview was Zelenskyy’s frustration with the implementation of sanctions. He claimed that despite official export bans, Western-made dual-use components—especially those critical for drones and missile production—were still making their way into Russian hands.

Zelenskyy accused countries, including the UK, of negligence in enforcement. “It’s not just about banning products on paper,” he said. “If the components still end up in Iranian or Russian factories, the sanctions are meaningless.” The concern comes amid ongoing drone and missile attacks from Russian forces, many of which have been tied to imported Western technology.

War in Iran Overshadows Ukraine’s Plight

The timing of the Iran-Israel conflict could not be worse for Kyiv. Zelenskyy acknowledged that the world’s attention—especially that of former U.S. President Donald Trump—had shifted sharply to the Middle East. “Every second of distraction is an opportunity for Putin,” he warned.

With Iran’s war and the risk of broader regional escalation capturing global headlines, Zelenskyy is struggling to keep Ukraine on the diplomatic radar. Yet, he emphasized that Ukraine’s war is far from frozen. Frontline fighting remains intense, casualties continue to mount, and the political resolve in Western capitals is beginning to erode.

No Peace Without Ceasefire, Zelenskyy Insists

Despite growing international fatigue, Zelenskyy reiterated that there will be no talks with Moscow until a ceasefire is implemented. “No ceasefire, no negotiations,” he declared. Ukraine, he said, cannot afford to enter dialogue while under fire. This stance, though firm, has been met with concern in some Western quarters, where calls for diplomacy are growing louder.

Still, Zelenskyy framed Ukraine’s position as a defense not just of territory but of the international order. “If Putin is not stopped here, he won’t stop at our borders,” he said.

Zelenskyy Faces New Diplomatic Crossroads

Zelenskyy's remarks come as he embarks on a critical diplomatic tour, including a meeting with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and participation in the NATO summit in The Hague. These meetings could help re-anchor Ukraine’s position in Western strategic thinking.

But nearly three and a half years into the war, Zelenskyy finds himself navigating a more complex global environment—one in which support for Ukraine, once near-unanimous, is now competing with other geopolitical crises.