Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned that a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO could escalate into World War Three, as reported by Reuters. These remarks followed Putin’s assertion of a resounding victory in Russia’s presidential election, securing 87.8 percent of the votes.
However, the election has drawn criticism from several nations, including the US, Germany, and the UK, citing concerns over the incarceration of political opponents and censorship. During a post-election briefing, Putin emphasized the global stakes, stating, “It is clear to everyone that this will be one step away from a full-scale World War Three. I think hardly anyone is interested in this.”
French President Emmanuel Macron’s previous remarks, hinting at the potential deployment of ground troops in Ukraine, were addressed by Putin, who acknowledged the uncertainties surrounding the situation, stating, “Everything is possible in the modern world.” Putin also noted the presence of NATO servicemen in Ukraine.
Earlier, Putin had asserted Russia’s technical preparedness for nuclear conflict, warning against US troop deployment to Ukraine as a significant escalation. In response, Macron cautioned against threats, particularly given Russia’s possession of nuclear weapons, highlighting the lack of recent dialogue between himself and Putin, only occurring “when necessary.”
Meanwhile, in the United States, officials remarked that there were no indications of Russia planning to utilize nuclear weapons against Ukraine in response to Putin’s statements.
