Russia's aggression in Europe is likely not confined to Ukraine alone, and the Kremlin's next targets may be NATO countries.
Analysts from Newsweek warn of this possibility. They note that there are several potential directions for further military actions that could lead to the expansion of the conflict into new fronts.
Experts are convinced that Putin will not stop at seizing Ukrainian territories. In particular, they point to the possibility of aggression against the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. A significant number of ethnic Russians reside in these countries, which could serve as a justification for the Kremlin to claim it is "protecting" the Russian-speaking population. Furthermore, this situation could serve as a crucial test for NATO, which must demonstrate its ability to deter Russian ambitions in Eastern Europe.
Another strategically important potential front is the Suwalki Corridor between Poland and Lithuania. This narrow strip of land, bordered by Russia's Kaliningrad and Belarus, is critical for connecting the Baltic states with the rest of NATO. Russian troops are already stationed here, and the Kremlin could use this corridor to further escalate the conflict, given the proximity of modern military systems and nuclear weapons.
Alongside these dangers, there is a likelihood that Russia will attempt to strengthen its influence in neutral countries of the former USSR, such as Moldova and Georgia. Moscow has already been actively interfering in the political processes of these nations, which may signal possible future interventions.