Latest news with #Petraeus
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
After Ukraine, this European country is at risk of facing Putin's wrath, ex-CIA chief reveals
If Russia wins in Ukraine, Putin could target another country in NATO. Experts believe Lithuania, a small Baltic nation, is most at risk. Petraeus thinks Russia could invade Lithuania either to test how NATO reacts or as a step before a bigger war, as per reports. He believes Russia wants to remove Ukraine's President Zelensky and put a puppet leader who listens to Moscow. Once Ukraine is controlled, Russia will look at other countries next, especially the Baltic states like Lithuania. Lithuania has been mentioned a lot in Putin's speeches, which should have been taken more seriously, according to the Mail Online report. Petraeus criticized the US for being too slow in sending weapons to Ukraine. He gave examples like delays in sending M1 Abrams tanks, F-16 jets, and rocket systems. He said these slow decisions hurt Ukraine's chances to stop Russia early. Petraeus said the US should have helped Ukraine more and faster so Russia would understand it can't win at an 'acceptable cost', as per reports. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký He also said the UK should allow the use of cluster bombs, which are banned in many places, because they can help defend better. Petraeus led US, UK, and other soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, and later became the CIA chief, as stated in the reports. Petraeus also blamed Trump for being too soft on Putin many times. He also criticized Biden for not sending enough weapons to Ukraine in time. While Europe is doing NATO military drills and building stronger ties to stop Russia, the US seems confused and changing its position. Live Events Trump's advisor Keith Kellogg said it's 'fair' for Russia to worry about NATO expanding into Ukraine. Kellogg also said the US doesn't support Ukraine joining NATO right now, and other countries also feel the same. He added that Russia is also worried about Georgia and Moldova joining NATO. But Kellogg said Trump is still angry at Putin for attacking Ukrainian cities and called him unreasonable, as per ABC News report. Kellogg said the total number of people killed or injured in the Ukraine war is around 1.2 million. He said nearly 1 million Russians are either dead or can't fight anymore, including 500,000 killed or too injured to return to war. Petraeus said Russia is not interested in peace yet and wants to grab more land before making any deal. Even though Ukraine offered a 30-day ceasefire many times, Russia said no and wants its own demands met first. Trump has changed his attitude a bit now and called Putin's actions 'absolutely crazy', but still hasn't done enough to push Putin into peace talks, as per Mail Online report. FAQs Q1. Which country would Russia attack after Ukraine? Experts say Lithuania might be next if Russia wins in Ukraine. Q2. Why is the U.S. being criticized in this situation? For being slow to send weapons and help to Ukraine.
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Next country on Vladimir Putin's hit list after Ukraine named by former CIA chief
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A former CIA chief has issued a stark warning that Vladimir Putin could expand his aggressive campaign into Europe if he succeeds in Ukraine, with one particular nation in his crosshairs. David Petraeus, who led the agency from 2011 to 2012, cautioned that the Russian leader might target the Baltic states next, particularly after intensifying attacks in Ukraine. According to Petraeus, Putin is poised for a significant summer offensive, having ramped up drone and missile strikes to weaken Ukrainian resolve. Now, Petraeus believes, Putin's ambition is to conquer all of Ukraine before advancing on a country he often mentions. During a session at the Policy Exchange think-tank in London, Mr Petraeus outlined Russia's strategy to oust Zelensky and install a pro-Russian regime. "Russia seeks to remove Zelensky and replace him with a pro-Russian puppet," he declared, suggesting that the Kremlin's ultimate goal is to "install a puppet leader and to control all of Ukraine". Petraeus then warned that following this, Putin's gaze would turn towards "one of the Baltic states", adding, "Once that's done, you are going to see them focus on one of the Baltic states," reports the Mirror. He specifically highlighted Lithuania as a potential target, noting: "Lithuania has featured prominently in his speeches and we should have listened a lot more." Long before the conflict in Ukraine erupted in 2022, Putin had repeatedly claimed that Ukraine was an integral part of Russia, asserting that Ukrainians and Russians were "one people". In 2020, he declared: "Kyiv is the mother of Russian cities. Ancient Rus' is our common source and we cannot live without each other." Similar assertions have been made about Lithuania by Kremlin-supported entities. The prominent Russian foreign-policy institute MGIMO released a 400-page tome on Lithuanian history, alleging it was founded solely as a vehicle for Polish terrorism. The publication, which includes a foreword penned by Putin's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, further contends that Lithuania's secession from the disintegrating USSR in 1991 was illegitimate and undemocratic. Lithuanian authorities are acutely conscious of Russia's overt antagonism towards their nation, having recently disclosed an evacuation strategy for their capital, Vilnius, in case of an invasion. The national government has also channelled funds into fortifying its border defences, particularly at a vital border juncture known as the Suwałki Gap. This location has long been regarded as one of the most probable launch points for a Russian assault on Lithuania, with Lithuanian Deputy Defence Minister Tomas Godliauskas informing POLITICO that the enhancements are "critical to us from a security and defence perspective". Mr Godliauskas further remarked: "They've always been part of our civil-military planning as key ground routes for allied support during a crisis."
Metro
3 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Ex-CIA chief reveals where in Europe he thinks Putin will invade next
An ex-CIA chief has delivered a chilling forecast on Vladimir Putin's next invasion target if his war in Ukraine drags on. David Petraeus, a retired US Army general who served as a commander in both Iraq and Afghanistan, sounded the alarm that Russia is preparing to invade a Nato nation next. He revealed that the Kremlin could launch an incursion into the Baltics to test whether the West would back down before bearing the cost – or as a precursor to a wider offensive. Lithuania, the veteran warned, is particularly exposed to Putin's quest to resurrect the Soviet empire. Speaking at the Policy Exchange think-tank in London, Petraeus said: 'Once [Ukraine is] done, you are going to see Russians focus on one of the Baltic states. 'Lithuania has featured prominently in Putin's speeches – and we should be listening. 'We should have listened a lot more when he answered that question about what was the worst geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century… and his response was the dissolution of the Soviet Union. 'That gives you an insight into Putin's grievance-filled revisionist history.' Throughout Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Baltics have been warned about getting caught in the crosshairs. Lithuania's government is also taking the threat seriously – the government reinstated conscription in 2015, and in January, it committed to spending between 5% and 6% of its GDP on defence annually until at least 2030. Focusing on the current US administration and its impact on the war, the general insisted that Donald Trump had given Putin way too many 'second chances' and indulged behaviour that was 'absolutely crazy'. He said that such indulgence has weakened the West's moral clarity and emboldened the dictator. Russia's eventual aim, Petraeus said, was to topple Volodymyr Zelensky in order to 'install a puppet leader and to control all of Ukraine'. In his speech, the general also criticised the former Biden administration for repeatedly arming Ukraine 'too little, too late'. More Trending Whether it was F-16 supersonic fighter jets, long-range rocket systems or cluster munitions, the White House has been locked in a cycle of hesitation followed by concession. Petraeus stressed: 'It was very unhelpful for the Ukrainians to go through the process, where each time they would ask for it [weapons], but be told no or a maybe and then eventually get it – instead of the swift and decisive action which would have been so much more helpful. 'The bottom line is that we should have done so much for the Ukrainians that they could change the dynamic on the battlefield to one that showed Moscow they can not achieve additional gains… 'If we want to get Russia negotiating seriously, they have to be convinced that they cannot achieve incremental gains.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Putin has eyes set on another country after Ukraine war, ex-CIA boss warns
Former top spy David Petraeus has warned Vladimir Putin will want to move in on another European country after installing a pro-Kremlin puppet to carry out his bidding in Ukraine A former CIA chief has warned that Vladimir Putin will extend his bloody campaign further inside Europe if he was allowed to claim victory in Ukraine - having set his sights on one key nation. David Petraeus, who chaired the agency between 2011 and 2012 during the Obama administration, has warned the Russian despot would march west into Europe's Baltic states. Putin is reportedly set to launch a devastating summer offensive on Ukraine in the coming weeks, having recently stepped up both drone and missile attacks in a bid to sap the country's morale. Now, Mr Petraeus said, he is looking to claim the entire country for himself before moving on to a nation that has featured frequently in his speeches. Speaking at the Policy Exchange think-tank in London this week, Mr Petraeus said Russia seeks to remove Zelensky and replace him with a pro-Russian puppet. He said the Kremlin wants to "install a puppet leader and to control all of Ukraine". He went on to add that, once this objective is accomplished, Putin would move on to "one of the Baltic states". He added: "Once that's done, you are going to see them focus on one of the Baltic states." Mr Petraeus specifically warned that Russian neighbour Lithuania would be next on the list, saying: "Lithuania has featured prominently in his speeches and we should have listened a lot more." Long before the war in Ukraine began in 2022, Putin had frequently insisted the country was a part of Russia, and that Ukrainians and Russians were "one people". In 2020 he said: "Kyiv is the mother of Russian cities. Ancient Rus' is our common source and we cannot live without each other.' Kremlin-backed organisations have made similar claims about Lithuania. Russian top foreign-policy institute MGIMO published a 400-page history of the country claiming it was established solely as a proxy for Polish terrorism. The book, which comes with a written foreward by Putin's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, adds that the country's exit from the crumbling USSR in 1991 was fraudulent and undemocratic. Lithuanian officials are aware of Russia's open hostility to the country, having last month unveiled an evacuation plan for its capital, Vilnius, in the event of an invasion. The national government has also invested in updating its border defences, especially at a critical border choke point known as the Suwałki Gap. The point has long been seen as one of the likeliest staging areas for a Russian attack on Lithuania, with Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Godliauskas telling POLITICO the fortifications are "critical to us from a security and defense perspective". Mr Godliauskas added: "They've always been part of our civil-military planning as key ground routes for allied support during a crisis."
Online Citizen
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Faishal Ibrahim condemns Critical Spectator post for downplaying Palestinian suffering
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has sharply criticised comments made by the Facebook page Critical Spectator, saying they 'minimise the suffering of Palestinians' and risk fuelling division in Singapore's multicultural society. The senior minister of state issued his statement on 23 May, the same day he was sworn in as a Cabinet member. He expressed deep concern over the remarks made by Critical Spectator, which is run by Polish national Michael Petraeus. The post, published on 23 May, was a response to a Facebook statement by former president Halimah Yacob. In it, Halimah had described Israel's blockade of Gaza as a 'humanitarian catastrophe' and warned that silence in the face of such actions amounted to complicity. Petraeus, commenting via Critical Spectator, responded by accusing Halimah of selective outrage, claiming she had failed to comment on crises in Sudan, Yemen, Libya, or Myanmar. He went as far as to say Halimah was 'complicit in the starvation of 3 million children in Sudan' due to her silence on those matters. Associate Professor Faishal strongly defended Halimah's position and character, calling her 'a deeply respected national figure' whose concerns reflected the compassion and moral courage of many Singaporeans. 'While it is valid to draw attention to suffering in other parts of the world, we should reject any statement that minimises the suffering of Palestinians,' he stated. He also stressed the importance of maintaining unity in Singapore, warning that divisive rhetoric, whether from local or foreign sources, must not be allowed to undermine the mutual respect in society. 'In times like these, we need more understanding, not division,' he wrote. 'We must never allow dismissive or divisive rhetoric to erode the mutual respect and unity we have worked so hard to build.' Prof Faishal reiterated that the Singapore government has consistently advocated for a humanitarian ceasefire, protection of civilian lives, and support for the Palestinian people's right to a homeland. He further noted that many in Singapore's Muslim community and across other communities feel deeply about the ongoing crisis in Gaza and continue to express solidarity with those affected. In the original post by Halimah, she had said: 'Keeping quiet makes us complicit in the violations of international humanitarian laws and encourages similar aggressions elsewhere. Our world is all the poorer for it.' Petraeus took issue with the idea of complicity by silence, arguing that Halimah had not made similar statements about other humanitarian crises. He accused her and global media outlets of prioritising Palestinian suffering over other global tragedies, claiming, 'Out of all of the victims of wars and disasters in this world, they deserve the least of our attention, support or even talk.' Petraeus also contended that the suffering in Gaza was self-inflicted, blaming Palestinian support for Hamas as the root of the crisis. He contrasted this with crises in countries like Sudan and Yemen, where he argued the victims were more clearly innocent. Strong support for Prof Faishal's comments on Critical Spectator In the aftermath of his statement, many Facebook users voiced strong support for Prof Faishal, praising his clarity and calling for action. One commenter wrote, 'Thank you… for your heartfelt and principled stance. We must stand together in humanity, not apart in hostility.' Another added, 'Finally, a voice we've been waiting for. Your voice brings hope and dignity to those suffering.' Several users called for Critical Spectator to be investigated or removed from Singapore's digital sphere, accusing it of foreign interference. Comments such as 'Time for people to report Critical Spectator to the police' and 'Ban Critical Spectator. It is foreign interference' were widely echoed. One user remarked that Petraeus 'should not be allowed to attack a former president in this manner', while others questioned why authorities had yet to take action against the page despite what they viewed as repeated provocations. A considerable number of comments suggested invoking Singapore's Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA), asking the government to classify Critical Spectator as a foreign entity. While some commenters expressed broader geopolitical concerns, many focused on the perceived imbalance in Petraeus' statements. One individual stated, 'Whataboutism is a logical fallacy. Expressing concern for Gaza does not mean ignoring Sudan, Yemen or Myanmar.' The reaction also included calls for the Singapore government to examine its economic and diplomatic links with Israel, questioning whether neutrality in policy aligned with moral responsibility. One commenter asked, 'How much have we invested in Israel's war economy while offering humanitarian aid to Palestinians?' Other users applauded Prof Faishal's leadership. 'You are truly a great leader for our Muslim community… Your firm stand is very much welcomed,' read one post. Another said, 'Thank you for taking a stand. I'm proud to have you as my MP.' Some, however, urged the government to match words with action. 'Speaking without action is nothing,' one commenter noted, while another asked for parliamentary scrutiny of the matter.
