Russia could attack Nato one year after Ukraine war, Dutch minister warns as Kremlin threatens Finland over its nuke deployment stance

By PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 16:02, 29 June 2026 | Updated: 16:07, 29 June 2026 The defence ministry of the Netherlands has warned that Russia could launch a military campaign against a NATO country just a year after the end of its invasion of Ukraine.   In its annual defence policy strategy document, the ministry said Europe stood in a 'grey area' between war and peace, vowing to bolster Dutch defence investment, notably in unmanned weapons such as drones. 'The Dutch intelligence services estimate that Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation with Europe,' the ministry said in its report. 'In the worst-case scenario, a limited war against NATO members could be possible within one year of the Russian war in Ukraine ending,' the officials said. The warning comes as the Kremlin threatened NATO nation Finland over its plan to lift a long-standing ban on hosting nuclear arms in its territory.   Finland, which shares an 830 mile border with Russia, said in March it would amend a Cold War-era nuclear act, aligning with Nordic neighbours in a move that could open the door to deploying atomic bombs on Finnish soil during times of war. Moscow has warned that the decision will make Helsinki more vulnerable.  Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday that the move posed 'real threats' to Russia's national security and that Moscow would move quickly and effectively to readjust its military and political stance accordingly. A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers during drills of nuclear forces of Russia at an undisclosed location on May 21, 2026  The 2022 launch of a nuclear-capable Yars missile The defence ministry of the Netherlands has warned that Vladimir Putin (pictured) could launch a military campaign against a NATO country just a year after the end of its invasion of Ukraine Members of the defence bloc are preparing for a summit in the Turkish capital Ankara on July 7 and 8, during which the threat from Moscow will be high on the agenda. NATO chief Mark Rutte has said that Russia 'could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years'. To counter these threats, the Dutch set out a goal of having half of its operational capacities unmanned within five years. To achieve this, the Dutch government intends to set up a special 'development lab' to design and construct drones that can combat drones. 'The question is whether Europe and the Netherlands will be strong enough in time to protect our freedom, security, and way of life,' said Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgoz. 'That is the responsibility of every generation, but rarely has it been so urgent,' she added. For all the anxiety Europe faces over Vladimir Putin's aggressive posturing, Russia is facing its own serious problems.   Shocking footage showed desperate motorists brawling in queues at petrol stations across Russia as Putin was forced to acknowledge the country is facing shortages. In Moscow, two women waiting in a queue were filmed screaming at each other after one accused the other of cutting in line. '**** you! I'll smash your face in!' one of them shouts. Another video from the western city of Ryazan shows two men engaging in an intense fistfight outside a petrol station until someone intervenes. One video from the western city of Ryazan shows two men engaging in an intense fistfight outside a petrol station In Moscow, two women waiting in a queue were filmed screaming at each other after one accused the other of cutting in line In a third video, filmed in the town of Serov, a woman is seen with a bloodied nose after a man allegedly punched her and violently attacked both her and her companion during a fight over fuel. It comes as Putin acknowledged that the country was suffering from 'a certain shortage' of fuel in an interview published by the Kremlin Sunday, after repeated Ukrainian strikes in their four-year war. 'As for strikes against critical infrastructure in general, and energy infrastructure in particular, of course these attacks on our infrastructure facilities create problems, that's obvious,' said Putin. 'Right now we're observing a certain shortage, but it's not critical.' The comments below have not been moderated. 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