Volodymyr Zelensky has told that Vladimir Putin could attack a NATO country within five years to test the alliance.

Axar.az informs the Ukrainian president made the comments in an interview with Sky News chief presenter Mark Austin.

But when asked if Russia could attack within months, Mr Zelensky said he did not "believe [Putin] is ready".

Mr Zelensky also said plans for NATO members to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 are "very slow" - adding: "We believe that, starting from 2030, Putin can have significantly greater capabilities.

"Today, Ukraine is holding him up, he has no time to drill the army."

Russia's soldiers are "all getting annihilated and wiped out at the battlefield", he warned.

"In any case, [Putin] needs a pause, he needs sanctions to be lifted, he needs a drilled army.

"And 10 years is a very long time. He will have a new army ready [by then]."

Asked about his views on the Israel-Iran conflict, and the impact of a wider Middle East war for Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said he understood that aid from partners, including the US "may be reduced", adding "it will be difficult for us".

On his dealings with Donald Trump, Mr Zelensky avoided any criticism and focused instead on how the US president interacts with Mr Putin, calling them "short-term partners" but not friends.

On the topic of a potential ceasefire and peace talks, Mr Zelenskyy was clear he supported both, adding that he would enter negotiations to understand "if real compromises are possible and if there is a real way to end the war".

But he avoided saying whether he would be willing to surrender land to Russia as part of any peace deal, instead suggesting military force and sanctions would force Mr Putin into negotiations.

The Ukrainian leader also spoke about the failure of international sanctions. He said Russia was still able to access "components for missiles and drones" from countries, including the UK.

The UK and its NATO allies will formally sign off the defence spending plans when the heads of state and government meet in The Hague on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The spending goal is broken down into 3.5% of GDP to be spent on pure defence and 1.5% of GDP on related areas, such as infrastructure and cybersecurity.

Defence spending of 5% is the kind of level invested by NATO allies during the Cold War.