Conflict between Russia and NATO could push the world closer to WORLD WAR III, Putin warns

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark caution to the West, asserting that a direct conflict between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could perilously push the world to the brink of World War III.

The Russian leader issued this warning on March 18, emphasizing the grave implications of a potential clash with the NATO alliance. While such a universally undesirable outcome could arise from the escalating tensions in Ukraine, he expressed belief that few entities are inclined toward this endgame.

According to YourNews, the ongoing war in Ukraine has profoundly strained Moscow’s relations with Western powers, drawing parallels to the tense atmosphere of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Despite Putin’s frequent evocation of the specter of nuclear warfare, he maintains that resorting to nuclear options in the Ukraine situation has not been warranted. (Related: Prominent leaders and personalities all over the world are warning that World War III is coming.)

The Russian president also responded to remarks made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who did not rule out the possibility of deploying ground troops to Ukraine in February. According to Putin, anything is conceivable in today’s geopolitical landscape.

Moreover, he acknowledged the presence of NATO military personnel in Ukraine based on instances of English and French being spoken on the battlefield. He also lamented casualties among these forces. Putin nevertheless expressed hope for Macron and France to contribute to peace efforts instead of worsening the Ukraine conflict.

The Russian leader also hinted at the prospect of establishing a “sanitary zone” within Ukrainian territories to safeguard Russian borders if attacks from Kyiv persist, but refrained from providing detailed specifications for such. Putin ultimately reiterated Moscow’s willingness to engage in peace talks – contingent upon genuine, long-term diplomatic relations rather than a temporary ceasefire for rearmament purposes.

Warning follows Putin’s victory in Russia’s presidential election

Putin’s warning followed his recent victory in Russia’s presidential election, which secured him a fifth term. According to exit polls released March 17, he managed to garner an overwhelming 87 percent of votes. Ella Pamfilova, chairwoman of the Russian Central Election Commission, described the 77 percent voter turnout – a significant increase from 2018’s 67.7 percent – as “record-breaking” and “unprecedented.”

The carefully orchestrated election saw Putin’s three nominal opponents representing Russia’s “systemic” opposition each garnering around three to four percent of the votes. Anti-war candidates are notably excluded from the ballot.

Many opposition figures either reside in exile, languish in jail or have met mysterious ends within Russia. Alexei Navalny, who died in February in a Russian penal colony, is one such figure.

Putin addressed his supporters and the press at his campaign headquarters following his victory. He made his first public remarks on Navalny’s death – the first time the Russian leader mentioned the opposition figure’s name publicly in years. According to Putin, Navalny’s death was a “sad event.”

Despite rumors of Putin’s animosity toward the opposition figure, evidenced by his refusal to directly mention his name, the Russian president’s acknowledgment of Navalny’s death signifies a departure from his previous approach. He also disclosed that discussions had taken place regarding a possible prisoner exchange involving Navalny and individuals imprisoned in Western countries.

Pro-Kremlin media celebrated Putin’s resounding win, hailing it as a milestone in modern Russian history. With his extended term in office, Putin is poised to surpass Soviet dictator Josef Stalin as Russia’s longest-serving leader by 2030.

Putin’s landslide victory, widely anticipated given the erasure of political opponents over his 24-year tenure, serves to reaffirm his dominance in Russian polit