Putin Remark Shows World War III 'Has Crept Up': Russian Newspaper

A third world war has "crept up unnoticed," a prominent Russian newspaper has said, after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned long-range strikes launched into Russia from Ukraine would pull NATO countries closer to direct confrontation with Moscow.

More than two years of full-scale fighting in Ukraine has brought the possibility of another global conflict to the fore. NATO countries are eager to tamp down on the possibility of the violence spreading beyond the country's borders. When providing military aid and weapons to Ukraine they have been clear they are assisting Kyiv's defense against Moscow's forces, not being party to the war.

However, this hasn't prevented the hostilities from becoming Europe's largest armed conflict since World War II.

NATO nations have increasingly come out in favor of permitting Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons systems to strike into internationally-recognized Russian territory. The U.S., the most vocal opponent of Western weapons reaching beyond Ukraine's borders, has indicated this week it may "adapt and adjust" its policies, but has not yet lifted its restrictions on Kyiv.

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said NATO countries, "especially the ones based in Europe, particularly in small European countries, should be fully aware of what is at stake" by allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russia with donated weapons.

"They should keep in mind that theirs are small and densely populated countries, which is a factor to reckon with before they start talking about striking deep into the Russian territory," the Russian leader said. "This constant escalation can lead to serious consequences."

"It is another step toward a serious conflict in Europe, toward a global conflict," Putin said, adding long-range strikes from Ukraine were impossible without NATO-facilitated space reconnaissance.

Russia's leader issued a "completely unambiguous ultimatum" with his remarks, a writer for Russia's Moskovskij Komsomolets daily newspaper claimed, adding they hoped Western countries would "not think that he is bluffing." The piece also appeared on the front page of the newspaper's print edition.

Shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Kyiv warned that, should Ukraine fall to Russian forces, other nations in Europe will be next on Russia's hit list in what would be a wider European war.

"If Ukraine will not stand, Europe will not stand," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "If we will fall, you will fall."

Earlier this year, Putin said "everything is possible" when discussing whether a wider war could break out between Russia and Western countries backing Ukraine. The globe is "one step away from a full-scale World War III," Putin said in mid-March.

The previous month, Belarus' leader Alexander Lukashenko—one of Putin's most steadfast allies—warned that the world "has again come to the brink of the abyss."

"There are grounds for concern" about a third world war, he added.

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