Latest news with #DavidPetraeus
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Former CIA director identifies European country Putin may attack
Vladimir Putin will invade a Nato country if he succeeds in Ukraine, it was warned today. David Petraeus, a respected former US general and CIA chief, also claimed Lithuania would be most at risk. He said Russia could launch an incursion into that Baltic state to test Western resolve or as a precursor to a wider offensive. Mr Petraeus (pictured), who headed the CIA after a stellar military career, also criticised US President Donald Trump for repeatedly granting second chances to Putin and took aim at predecessor Joe Biden for failures to adequately arm Ukrainian forces. Mr Petraeus, who led tens of thousands of US, British and other nationality troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan, also called on the UK to withdraw from international accords forbidding the use of cluster munitions on the battlefield. He said that these weapons could prove an essential deterrent. '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]. There were no more MiGs anywhere in Europe we could provide them [the Ukrainians] with, it had to be F-16s.' 'The same with multiple-launch rocket systems, the improved conventional munitions and lifting the limits [on their use]. This was very unhelpful to the Ukrainians. Each time they'd have to ask and wait, and then we'd say no, and then maybe, and then eventually they'd get it. We should have done so much with the Ukrainians that they could change the dynamic on the battlefield to show Moscow they cannot achieve additional gains on the battlefield at an acceptable cost, knowing what is acceptable to them is quite astronomical.' Mr Petraeus stated that Russia's aim was to topple president Volodymyr Zelensky in order to 'install a puppet leader and to control all of Ukraine'. He added: 'Once that's done, you are going to see them focus on one of the Baltic states. Lithuania has featured prominently in his speeches and we should have listened a lot more.' Mr Petraeus described Russia's losses as 'unimaginable'. Nearly a million Russians are understood to have been battlefield casualties including 500,000 either killed or unfit for the frontline. Russia is thought to be dragging its feet over a peace deal so it can capture more Ukrainian territory. The Kremlin has also refused repeated Ukrainian offers of a 30-day ceasefire, insisting that its grievances must be addressed before the fighting stops. While Mr Trump has changed his tone towards Putin, describing his behaviour as 'absolutely crazy', the US is yet to effectively force him to the negotiating table.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Putin will attack Lithuania next if he beats Ukraine, former CIA boss warns as Zelensky slams Vlad for ‘stalling talks'
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. 7 7 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. 7 7 7 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." 7 7
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Lithuania will be next on Russia's hitlist if Vladimir Putin succeeds in Ukraine, ex-CIA boss warns
Vladimir Putin will invade a Nato country if he succeeds in Ukraine, it was warned today. David Petraeus, a respected former US general and CIA chief, also claimed Lithuania would be most at risk. He said Russia could launch an incursion into that Baltic state to test Western resolve or as a precursor to a wider offensive. Mr Petraeus, who headed the CIA after a stellar military career, also criticised US President Donald Trump for repeatedly granting second chances to Putin and took aim at predecessor Joe Biden for failures to adequately arm Ukrainian forces. Mr Petraeus, who led tens of thousands of US, British and other nationality troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan, also called on the UK to withdraw from international accords forbidding the use of cluster munitions on the battlefield. He said that these weapons could prove an essential deterrent. Speaking at the Policy Exchange think-tank in London, Mr Petraeus 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]. 'There were no more MiGs anywhere in Europe we could provide them [the Ukrainians] with, it had to be F-16s. The same with multiple-launch rocket systems, the improved conventional munitions and lifting the limits [on their use]. 'This was very unhelpful to the Ukrainians. Each time they'd have to ask and wait, and then we'd say no, and then maybe, and then eventually they'd get it. We should have done so much with the Ukrainians that they could change the dynamic on the battlefield to show Moscow they cannot achieve additional gains on the battlefield at an acceptable cost, knowing what is acceptable to them is quite astronomical.' Mr Petraeus stated that Russia's aim was to topple president Volodymyr Zelensky in order to 'install a puppet leader and to control all of Ukraine'. He added: 'Once that's done, you are going to see them focus on one of the Baltic states. 'Lithuania has featured prominently in his speeches and we should have listened a lot more.' Mr Petraeus described Russia's losses as 'unimaginable'. Nearly a million Russians are understood to have been battlefield casualties including 500,000 either killed or unfit for the frontline. Russia is thought to be dragging its feet over a peace deal so it can capture more Ukrainian territory. The Kremlin has also refused repeated Ukrainian offers of a 30-day ceasefire, insisting that its grievances must be addressed before the fighting stops. While Mr Trump has changed his tone towards Putin, describing his behaviour as 'absolutely crazy', the US is yet to effectively force him to the negotiating table.
Al Arabiya
14-04-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
KKR announces Middle East Gulf Data Hub investment, Petraeus as regional chairman
Global investment firm KKR announced a major expansion in the Middle East, appointing General David Petraeus as Chairman of KKR Middle East and forming a dedicated regional investment team led by Managing Director Julian Barratt-Due. The move builds on KKR's 16-year-long presence in the region and reflects its growing commitment to the Gulf markets. Monday's announcement came as KKR has reinforced its client engagement team in the region, with senior executives now based in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Previous regional investments include a strategic partnership with ADNOC in 2019 and acquisition of aircraft from Etihad Airways in 2020. The regional investment team, led by Barratt-Due, will focus on GCC countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. The move indicates a long-term commitment and localization of investment expertise. KKR plans to invest in Gulf Data Hub, a major independent data center platform in the Middle East with an owned portfolio of seven purpose-built and state-of-the art data centers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and additional facilities planned in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain. KKR leadership emphasized the Middle East's strategic importance as 'an important investment destination' driven by structural reforms, favorable demographics, economic diversification and a growing appetite for long-term investment partnerships. 'The Middle East is emerging as a leading investment powerhouse with a clear vision, impressive innovation, strong fiscal position, and increasingly partnership- orientated private sector and governments,' Chairman Petraeus said in a statement released by KKR. 'It will be a pleasure to be spending considerable time in the Middle East, and to help build on regional momentum and contribute to its growing global presence.' Petraeus is a retired US army general and former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), widely recognized for his deep expertise in Middle Eastern affairs and global security. His appointment as Chairman of KKR Middle East reflects both his long-standing engagement in the region and his ability to build high-level partnerships that align with the region's strategic and economic ambitions.
Zawya
14-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
KKR names General Petraeus as chair of Middle East business in regional push
The US-based private equity firm KKR has appointed General David Petraeus, as chairman of its Middle East operations as it looks to ramp up business in the oil-rich region. KKR, which has been operating in the region since 2009 and has offices in Dubai and Riyadh, is also setting up a dedicated investment team in the region led by Julian Barratt-Due, a managing director at the firm. Petraeus, former US Army general who was also once the Director of the CIA, and who is a partner at the firm, said the Middle East is emerging as a leading investment powerhouse, adding that KKR sees 'growing opportunities' to partner with leading domestic businesses. (Writing by Brinda Darasha; editing by Seban Scaria)
