Putin Issues Stark Warning to NATO: World War III Looms

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that a direct clash between Russia and NATO could escalate into World War Three, as reported by Reuters.

Putin’s remarks came after he claimed victory in Russia’s presidential election, securing 87.8% of the votes. However, the election drew criticism from the US, Germany, the UK, and other countries, citing political repression and censorship concerns.

During his post-election briefing, Putin emphasized the grave consequences of a conflict between Russia and NATO, 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 mentioned the possibility of deploying ground troops in Ukraine, raising concerns about the situation. Putin, when asked about Macron’s statements and the potential for conflict with NATO, commented, “Everything is possible in the modern world,” pointing out that NATO servicemen were already present in Ukraine.

Putin also underscored Russia’s readiness for nuclear war, particularly in response to any US troop deployment in Ukraine, which he deemed a significant escalation.

French President Macron responded by cautioning Putin against making threats, especially given Russia’s nuclear capabilities. Macron noted that he hadn’t spoken to Putin for several months but maintained that dialogue would resume when necessary.

In the United States, officials noted that there were no indications of Russia planning to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine in response to Putin’s statements.