Russian President Vladimir Putin says a direct conflict between Russia and NATO would mean that the planet is one step away from World War Three.
The statements came after his landslide victory in Russia’s presidential election, receiving 87.8 percent of the vote.
The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other countries have claimed that the election was not free or fair because political opponents were imprisoned and censored.
Speaking after his post-election briefing, the Russian president said, “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 has already stated that he cannot rule out the prospect of deploying ground soldiers to Ukraine.
Responding to inquiries concerning Macron’s words and the risks and possibilities of conflict between Russia and NATO, the Russian leader said, “Everything is possible in the modern world.”
He also stated that NATO forces were already in Ukraine.
Earlier, Putin claimed that Russia was technically prepared for a nuclear war. He stated that if the United States sent troops into Ukraine, it would be viewed as a substantial escalation of the situation.
In reaction, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Putin should not make threats while his country holds nuclear weapons.
According to the French president, he has not spoken to Putin in several months. Such a discussion was held “when necessary.”
In reaction to Putin’s statements, the United States stated that it does not believe Russia intends to deploy nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
