Putin warns Russia-NATO conflict is 'one step away' from WWIII

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any direct military engagement between Russia and NATO forces could bring humanity to the cusp of a third World War, according to reports.

Vladimir Putin.

Photo: PAP/EPA/NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA

Putin issued his warning in the aftermath of what the Kremlin described as a presidential election in Russia, responding to a query from a journalist.

The question referenced recent comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, who hinted at the possibility of future deployment of Western ground troops to Ukraine.

"It is clear to everyone that this will be one step away from a full-scale World War III," Putin said on Monday, as cited by the Reuters news agency.

"I think hardly anyone is interested in this," he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West that a direct conflict between Russia and the US-led NATO military alliance would mean the planet was one step away from World War Three but said hardly anyone wanted such a scenario https://t.co/CLaGZLsjlu

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 18, 2024

He also said that NATO soldiers were already present in Ukraine, claiming that "they are dying there and in large numbers," Reuters reported.

Putin hinted at the possible establishment of a "sanitary zone" in "the territories today under the Kyiv regime."

While details remained scant, Putin said the aim of such a move could be to prevent foreign-made arms from reaching Russian territory, according to Reuters.

(jh/gs)

Source: Reuters, PAP