In his recent address, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned the West about the grave implications of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO, asserting that such a scenario would bring the world to the brink of World War III. Putin’s remarks come amidst escalating tensions triggered by the conflict in Ukraine, marking the most profound strain in Moscow’s relations with the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Despite this, Putin emphasized that nuclear weapons haven’t been deemed necessary in the Ukrainian conflict thus far. Notably, French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments regarding potential ground troop deployments in Ukraine have fueled further uncertainty. Putin acknowledged the possibility of conflict between Russia and NATO, underscoring the unpredictable nature of modern geopolitics. However, he expressed hope for peace talks and urged France to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis. Meanwhile, Putin dismissed criticism of Russia’s recent election, highlighting perceived flaws in U.S. democracy and defending his government’s handling of opposition figures like Alexei Navalny.