Vladimir Putin promotes Russian General who warns Ukraine is 'only the beginning’

This week, Putin promoted Lieutenant General Andrey Mordvichev to the rank of Colonel-General. This army leader, who had already been playing a central role for Russia as commander of the Central Military District and Russian Central Grouping of Forces in the occupied territories, has revealed terrifying plans for the Russian army.

In an interview on state-run Russia-1, which circulated on social media this weekend, Mordvichev said he envisaged Putin’s war lasting a long time and reaching further than Ukraine - to Europe.

Russia’s next target

In the interview, the general explained:

I think there's still plenty of time to spend. It is pointless to talk about a specified period. If we are talking about Eastern Europe, which we will have to, of course then it will be longer.

The interviewer pushed this vague statement, asking whether 'Ukraine is only a stepping stone?'. To this, Mordvichev gave a very clear answer:

Yes, absolutely. It is only the beginning.

He vowed Russia 'will not stop here'. Mordvichev is reportedly close friends with the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who recently threatened to attack European countries where copies of the Quran had been burned.

Read more:Kim Jong-un expected to visit Vladimir Putin in lavish train equipped with French wine and other luxuries

North Korea’s potential support

This comes as rumours continue to circulate about North Korea and Russia joining forces. Putin and Kim Jong-un are expected to meet in the coming days to discuss a potential deal: Putin wants weapons from North Korea, and North Korea wants technology from Russia to develop its navy.

US officials have issued a serious warning on this subject, threatening that North Korea will ‘pay a price’ if it does sell munitions to Russia.

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Sources used:

Newsweek: Russian General Admits Ukraine Just a 'Stepping Stone' to Invade Europe

Express: Ukraine war is a 'stepping stone' for Europe invasion - Putin ally's chilling warning