Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned the United States and Western nations on Monday, March 18, asserting that a direct confrontation between Russia and the U.S.-led NATO military alliance would signify a perilous step towards World War Three. However, he noted that few desired such a dire scenario.
The conflict in Ukraine has precipitated the most profound crisis in Moscow’s relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, prompting Putin to hint at the possibility of employing nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently hinted at the potential deployment of ground troops in Ukraine, a stance that has received mixed reactions from Western countries, with some distancing themselves while others, particularly in Eastern Europe, voiced support.
Responding to Macron’s remarks and inquiries about the risks of conflict between Russia and NATO, Putin remarked, “everything is possible in the modern world,” during an interview with Reuters.
“It is evident to all that this would bring us dangerously close to a full-scale World War Three. I believe few would welcome such an outcome,” added Putin.
Following his landslide victory in the largest-ever post-Soviet Russian election, Putin pointed out the presence of NATO military personnel in Ukraine, noting instances of English and French being spoken on the battlefield. He expressed concern for the individuals involved, emphasizing the significant loss of life.
Amid escalating tensions leading up to the Russian election from March 15-17, Ukraine intensified attacks on Russian border regions. When asked about the possibility of seizing Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, Putin suggested that if the attacks persisted, Russia might establish a buffer zone using additional Ukrainian territory to protect its own.
While Putin refrained from providing specific details, he indicated that such a zone might need to be extensive enough to prevent foreign-made armaments from reaching Russian territory. Notably, Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, escalating a long-standing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Putin expressed his hope that Macron would cease exacerbating the situation in Ukraine and instead play a constructive role in facilitating peace negotiations. He reiterated Russia’s commitment to peace talks, emphasizing the need for genuine efforts to foster long-term peaceful relations between the two nations.
