“Everything is possible…,” Vladimir Putin warns Russia-NATO conflict is one step away from World War III

Putin warns World War III | Russian President Vladimir Putin won the presidential elections, receiving 87.17 per cent of the votes based on the result of processing 70 per cent of the electoral protocols, as per the data from the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. 

Expressing gratitude to his staff while stressing that Russia must become "even stronger and more effective," Putin thanked the people of Russia who voted while acknowledging the involvement of those in the ongoing military operations against Ukraine. 

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In his election victory speech, Putin Monday warned the Western powers that any direct conflict between Russia and the NATO alliance, led by the US, would mean the world will be "one step away" from a full-scale World War III. 

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has created the most significant tension in Moscow's relations with the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Putin has often emphasised the risks of nuclear warfare but stated that he has never found it necessary to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. 

Addressing reporters after securing victory, Putin mentioned the possibility of a direct conflict between Russia and NATO in the future, although nobody desires such an outcome.

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"I think that everything is possible in the modern world. But conflict between Russia and NATO will be one step away from a full-scale third world war. I think it's unlikely Is anyone interested in this?" Putin said. 

Before Russia's March 15-17 elections, Ukraine had ramped up its attacks against Russia.
Securing a crushing victory in the Russian Presidential elections, Putin also said that he had agreed to a prisoner swap involving Alexei Navalny before the opposition leader's sudden death in an Arctic prison in February.

Calling Navalny's death a 'sad event', Putin said there were other cases of people in prisons passing away.

Putin secured the first spot with 87.17 per cent of the votes while Nikolai Kharitonov secured the second position and Vladislav Davankov who secured third place. 

Putin's latest electoral triumph ensures his continuation in office for another 5 years, surpassing Josef Stalin's tenure and making him the longest-serving leader in Russia's history in over two centuries. 

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Putin has served four terms as Russian President. He was first elected President in 2000 and again in 2004, 2012, and 2018.