Putin is ‘preparing for huge war escalation’ soon, leader warns

A European leader has warned that Ukraine needs to restart peace talks or face a massive escalation from Russia.

Petr Pavel, the Czech President, said there is still a ‘window’ to push for peace and open a dialogue with Russia.

‘Russia will have parliamentary elections in September. President Putin will hardly declare mobilisation before, but once the elections are over, then the window will shrink,’ he told the Telegraph.

He added: ‘President Putin will have difficulties keeping calm at home, and if this pressure continues, if Ukraine continues to be capable and successful in hitting targets deep in Russian territory, it will create conditions where Russia will be more inclined to negotiate.’

Three sources close to the Kremlin also warned of a potential escalation in the war, telling Reuters that Putin is dismissing any proposal for peace talks.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for almost four years now, but Russia has also been waging a quieter war against Europe.

Last week, it was revealed that Russia launched hundreds of drones and covert UAVs across Britain and Europe from their shadow fleet in preparation for a future conflict.

The International Institute of Strategic Studies issued a sobering report in which they found Putin’s shadow fleet ships sent drones into Britain and Europe, targeting airports, bases and nuclear sites.

Among the sites affected by the spy drones were RAF Fairford, Feltwell, Lakenheath and Mildenhall, and dozens of sites across continental Europe.

‘We assess it is likely that Russian-linked vessels and the ‘shadow fleet’ were used as launch or recovery platforms for UAVs as part of the Kremlin’s wider unconventional war on Europe,’ they warned.

Since 2024, mystery drone sightings have plagued airports, military bases and civilian areas as Russia increasingly tests the limits of its spyware.

‘The Kremlin was likely able to map reaction times, coverage gaps and limitations across European integrated air defences,’ the IISS added.

The drones spied on critical infrastructure as well, to prompt a ‘decisive opening operation in high-intensity conflict’, the report warned.

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