"World War III Near" Tsar Putin, Who Won the Presidential Election by a Landslide, Warns the West

Vladimir Putin, who secured a landslide victory in the Russian presidential election and confirmed his fifth term, warned the West on the 17th (local time) that a clash between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is close to triggering World War III.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

President Putin met with reporters at his campaign headquarters set up in Gostiny Dvor, Moscow, and when asked about the possibility of a clash between Russia and the NATO military alliance, he responded, "In modern society, anything is possible." He added, "This matter is one step away from a full-scale outbreak of World War III," and said, "No one would want such a thing."

Putin also claimed that he had heard English and French being used by Russian troops on the battlefield, asserting that NATO forces are already stationed in Ukraine. He continued, "They are dying there. Many are dying," adding, "Nothing good awaits them."

Regarding France's proposal for a ceasefire during this year's Paris Olympics, he said, "We are ready to engage in dialogue." However, he explained that Russia's interests on the front lines must be taken into account. Putin emphasized, "As I have said continuously, we are prepared for peace negotiations," and added, "If they truly want to build peaceful and good neighborly relations between the two countries, not just a break for rearmament lasting one and a half to two years."

When asked whether it is necessary to occupy the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, he replied that Russia would create buffer zones in more Ukrainian territories to defend Russian territory (sanitary zone). He said, "Considering the tragic events happening today, at an appropriate time deemed suitable, we will have no choice but to establish certain buffer zones within the territory of the current Ukrainian regime." Although he did not disclose details, he added that the zone should be large enough to prevent foreign weapons from reaching Russian territory.

On the same day, President Putin spoke for the first time about the death of opposition activist Alexei Navalny. Putin stated, "He has passed away. It is a sad matter." Navalny, regarded as Putin's biggest political rival, suddenly died on the 16th of last month while serving a sentence in a Siberian prison. This sparked suspicions, especially in the West, that Putin might be behind it. Seemingly aware of these suspicions, Putin retorted, "There have been deaths in correctional facilities," and questioned, "Hasn't this happened in the United States as well?"

Putin referred to Navalny as "Mr. Navalny" and acknowledged the claim by Navalny's close aide Maria Pevchikh that Navalny could have been released shortly before his death through a prisoner exchange. He said, "A few days before Mr. Navalny passed away, colleagues who were not government officials told me there was an idea to exchange Mr. Navalny for people held in Western prisons," adding, "I agreed." It is considered highly unusual that Putin, who had previously referred to Navalny as "that person" or "the blogger," mentioned Navalny's name directly on this occasion.

Furthermore, Putin dismissed the protests called for by Navalny supporters on the 17th at noon to express opposition to Putin during the election, saying, "They had no effect." However, he praised the call for voting. When asked by the American NBC network whether Russia is a democratic country, he mentioned the legal lawsuits against former President Donald Trump and responded, "It's ridiculous. It is a global embarrassment not only in the United States but also in the so-called democratic system."

Known as the "modern-day czar," Putin secured over 87% of the vote in the recently concluded Russian presidential election, confirming his fifth term. Immediately after, Putin stated, "Russia must be stronger and more effective," and said, "The source of Russian power is the Russian people. It is impossible to suppress the will of Russians from outside." Having been in power since 2000, including his time as prime minister, Putin will extend his rule until 2030. This surpasses the 29-year record of Joseph Stalin, the former Soviet Communist Party Secretary.