Vladimir Putin will flood Europe with hoards of violent criminals and serial rapists if a peace deal is agreed to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, a top foreign minister has claimed.
European diplomats are said to be concerned that the Russian leader will send hundreds of thousands of ex-convicts and former soldiers westwards to wreak havoc across the continent.
It has been rumoured that officials are weighing up a move to introduce a European travel ban to all former Russian troops if an agreement is reached between Moscow and Kyiv.
Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told The Telegraph that Mr Putin wants to deploy hordes of “crazy” men in a new type of hybrid war against Nato.
Alongside a blanket travel ban, restrictions on residency and work visas have been proposed for all Russian migrants.
Mr Tsahkna told the newspaper: “They’re definitely not going with good plans to earn their own salaries and pay taxes.
“They come with real bad plans. We already see the special agencies of Russia organising different attacks in Europe.
“They are perfect for this mission. But they definitely have a very bad background, and also mentally, you know they have been killing, raping.”
Diplomats are said to be concerned that Mr Putin will thousands of ex-convicts westwards
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REUTERSThe Estonian minister warned the alleged Moscow plot would present a “very, very sudden danger for European security”.
It is estimated that around 1.5 million Russians have been involved in the invasion of Ukraine – 640,000 of whom are still in active duty.
Mr Tsahkna warned: “We see ex-prisoners and rapists, all of these crazy guys, on the battlefield, and Putin doesn’t want that in Russia.
“They will be weaponised. They will be sent to Europe… And we know exactly how to fight against the Russian military as Nato, but this is more dangerous, and we need to act now while they’re still stuck on the battlefield.”
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The Estonian minister warned the alleged Moscow plot would present a ‘very, very sudden danger’
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GETTY
Earlier this month, Estonia slapped a ban on 261 former Russian soldiers after fears emerged that the ex-combatants were committing serious criminal offences.
An intelligence document from the Baltic country read: “Up to 180,000 convicted prisoners were recruited directly from Russian penal colonies into special military units.
“Many returnees have already committed serious crimes. The total number of which has reached a 15-year high in Russia in the first of 2025, and this upsurge is likely linked to the mass return of ex-combatants.”
The Estonian Foreign Minister said his proposed EU-wide ban had the support of many of his colleagues, and political guidance on the matter could potentially be issued at the next Brussels meeting between European leaders.
Earlier this month, Estonia slapped a ban on 261 former Russian soldiers
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GETTY
The warning comes ahead of a second round of peace talks between US, Russian and Ukrainian officials in the United Arab Emirates later this week.
Despite Volodymyr Zelensky affirming that a peace deal was “90 per cent” done in his New Year’s address, the issue of territory remains a significant stumbling block.
A UK Government spokesman said: “Border security is national security, and we have strict measures at our disposal to protect our country against the threat from Russia.
“We will continue working in partnership with our allies to bring our full capabilities to bear against those who seek to threaten our values, harm our citizens, and undermine our collective security.”
