President: Russian-Ukrainian war a fundamental challenge to European security system

A full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war is a fundamental challenge to the European security system, as Russia seeks to launch an offensive against European states if it gets a victory in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his address to the Riksdag, Sweden's parliament, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"If Ukraine did not resist, could not defend itself, it would mean a loss of everything that we, modern people, value. Everything that you value. Everything that is valued by any free people of any state. This would mean that all of Russia's neighbors are in danger. This would mean that you are in danger, because only the sea separates you from the aggressive policy of this state - Russia went to war against Ukraine, because it expects to go further to Europe. It expects to destroy freedom further in Europe. This is a fundamental challenge to the European security system," he said.

He noted that Russian propagandists are already discussing on state television how Russia will occupy, in particular, the Swedish island of Gotland and will keep it under its control for decades. According to Zelensky, the Russians are even shown possible directions of the offensive on the map. He said the purpose of this offensive operation could be advantageous for Russia to deploy air defense systems and a military base to cover the capture of the Baltic states.

On February 24, Russian leader Putin announced the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying key infrastructure, residential neighborhoods of Ukrainian cities and villages using artillery, multiple rocket launchers and ballistic missiles.