Vladimir Putin, freshly re-elected, issued a stark caution to the West: any direct confrontation between Russia and the US-led NATO could plunge the world perilously close to the brink of World War 3. The Russian President’s words echoed a sober reality, emphasizing that such a scenario was universally undesirable.
Securing an unprecedented 87.8% of the votes in Russia’s national election, Putin clinched another term in office, marking the highest-ever electoral victory in post-Soviet Russia.
In the wake of this historic win, Putin minced no words, emphasizing, “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.”
Putin pointedly noted the presence of NATO military personnel in Ukraine, highlighting instances of English and French being spoken on the battlefield. He underscored the grave consequences, particularly for those on the front lines, lamenting the loss of life.
Recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron hinting at the potential deployment of ground troops in Ukraine only fueled concerns. When pressed about Macron’s remarks and the looming specter of conflict between Russia and NATO, Putin remarked, “everything is possible in the modern world.”
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has ignited the most severe crisis in Moscow’s relations with the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. While Putin has consistently cautioned against the perils of nuclear war, he asserts that he has never deemed it necessary to employ nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
However, Putin has not shied away from warning that Russia stands prepared to utilize nuclear arms if its sovereignty or independence faces threat. Since the onset of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Putin has repeatedly underscored his readiness to resort to nuclear options.
In his recent state-of-the-nation address, Putin reiterated this stance, cautioning the West that further entanglement in the conflict in Ukraine could escalate to a nuclear confrontation.