# Western officials fear Putin is preparing to escalate beyond Ukraine

https://mins.news/en/item/38272

- Meduza, 2026-08-31 06:50 UTC
- World
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/08/31/western-officials-fear-putin-is-preparing-to-escalate-beyond-ukraine-bild-and-the-telegraph-outline-possible-russian-moves-against-nato

> Fears are growing in the West that Vladimir Putin is rejecting peace talks and could escalate against NATO as well as Ukraine. Scenarios outlined by Bild and The Telegraph include attacks on seabed infrastructure, covert action in Narva, moves in the Baltic and Arctic, and a clash around the Suwałki corridor. Donald Tusk said the next seven to eight months could be critical for Ukrainian and wider European security.

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