Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov has warned that Russia has brought forward its planning timeline for a potential large‑scale conflict with Europe, saying Moscow could be ready to launch aggression against European states as early as 2027. Speaking at an LB Club event on December 20, he said that under Russia’s original “main plan” the Kremlin intended to be prepared for major operations by 2030, but that these plans have now been “adjusted and shortened” to 2027. Budanov argued that Russia views expansion as essential to sustaining what it sees as an empire and now regards the West as “weak” and “indecisive,” leaving Europe as its only viable direction of future expansion.