The 5 countries 'at risk' of Vladimir Putin takeover if Ukraine falls

Volodymyr Zelensky believes that Vladimir Putin could put five other European countries at risk in a bid to extend his control of the region.

On the third anniversary of the war, the Ukrainian president suggested that countries with "Russian roots" and former Soviet Union members could be in danger.

He said: "When you have Russian-speaking people, or their roots, or their families … it's our history … then you are at risk. At the very beginning, they said that they are not occupying our territories … that they are defending Russian-speaking people.

"If we will fall down … I think all such countries who I mentioned have this risk because of Russian policy, because their view of the Russian world."

Specifically, he picked out Poland, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia, and Moldova as Putin's potential next conquests should he succeed in Ukraine.

Latvia, Estonia, and Moldova were all part of the Soviet Union and Russian Empire. Poland was also within the Russian Empire, while Slovakian people are ethnically Slavic like Russians.

Mr Zelensky continued: "Nobody in the world believes the Russian lies about our country and our people, even those who became Russia's ally.

"Russia's strategic target is Europe, the European way of life and the future of Europe. And the future of Europe cannot be decided without Europe."

He made these comments during a meeting with world leaders to mark three years of the war. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Boris Johnson were all in attendance.

Mr Trudeau praised the Ukrainian president's bravery, calling him an inspiration to the people of Canada. He said: "You continue to inspire me and tens of millions of my fellow citizens back home in Canada."

Sir Keir Starmer also announced a new wave of sanctions on Russian oligarchs to force Putin into peace negotiations.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: "[The sanctions will] slam the door shut to the oligarchs who have enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people whilst bankrolling this illegal and unjustifiable war.

"My message to Putin’s friends in Moscow is simple: you are not welcome in the UK."