Former CIA Director Warns: Putin May Have His Eyes on More Than Just Ukraine
As the war between Russia and Ukraine drags on with no sign of resolution, anxiety continues to rise across the globe. With Vladimir Putin showing no indication of backing down, world leaders remain vigilant, concerned about the possibility of the conflict spilling beyond Ukrainian borders. Now, a leading voice in global security—former CIA director David Petraeus—has offered a chilling perspective on what might lie ahead.
Petraeus Points to a New Potential Target
Speaking at a recent event hosted by the Policy Exchange think tank in London, General David Petraeus, who led the CIA and served as commander of U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, suggested that if Russia achieves its objectives in Ukraine, Putin may not stop there.
Petraeus stated that Putin is clearly aiming for full dominance over Ukraine, including the installation of a government loyal to Moscow. But what comes next could be even more destabilizing.
“If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, one of the next targets may be in the Baltics,” Petraeus warned. “Lithuania, in particular, has been referenced repeatedly in his rhetoric. These hints were there—we just didn’t listen closely enough.”
Criticism of Delayed Western Support
Petraeus was critical of how slowly the United States and its allies have responded to Ukraine’s defense needs. He pointed to repeated delays in providing essential military equipment, including modern tanks and fighter aircraft.
“There was always a pattern—Ukraine would plead for support, be told ‘no,’ then maybe ‘later,’ and finally receive help months after it was most needed,” Petraeus explained.
One notable example he gave was the delay in supplying F-16 fighter jets, which Ukraine had requested after exhausting supplies of Soviet-era MiG aircraft. He argued that a faster and more resolute approach could have helped Ukraine shift the momentum on the battlefield.
“What they needed were long-range systems, advanced rockets, precision munitions—and they needed them early,” he added.
Trump’s Role and Putin’s Mindset
Petraeus’s concerns come amid ongoing commentary from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has claimed to have had a “strong relationship” with Putin. Despite this, Trump recently described the Russian leader as “absolutely crazy,” indicating that diplomatic efforts to end the war remain fruitless.
While Trump has made various claims about being able to resolve the war quickly, Petraeus emphasized that such optimism may overlook the deep-rooted nature of Putin’s ambitions.
A Caution for the Future
According to Petraeus, the international community must learn from the mistakes of the past two years. Rather than wait for threats to become reality, he urges leaders to act decisively before it’s too late.
“We should have provided Ukraine with enough strength early on to shift the balance of power—to make it clear to Russia that any further aggression would come at a cost they couldn’t bear.”
He stressed that even by Russia’s standards, the price they’re paying is already immense—but that hasn’t stopped the invasion from continuing.
Conclusion
David Petraeus’s comments serve as a clear and urgent message: Vladimir Putin may not stop at Ukraine, and countries like Lithuania could be in danger if he succeeds. The slow and hesitant support from Western nations, particularly the U.S., may have prolonged the conflict rather than helping to end it.
With Russia’s aggressive strategy showing no signs of ending, Petraeus urges world leaders to respond with unity, speed, and strength. The cost of delay, he warns, could be far greater than anyone expects.