Putin Warns of ‘Full-Scale WW3’ if West Sends Troops to Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s election victory speech and Q&A with the press was full of familiar themes, but he used the occasion after capturing a record 87% of the vote to warn the US and Europe that a “full-scale World War III” is “possible” should any Western troops enter Ukraine.
The remarks came in response to a journalist’s question on President Macron’s recent statements saying he thinks sending troops to Ukraine should be a realistic possibility. Putin responded on Sunday: “I think anything is possible in today’s world and it’s clear to everyone that this would be one step from a full-scale World War III.”Putin
But the Russian leader also emphasized that NATO military personnel are already present in Ukraine, with Russian intelligence having observed English and French at times being spoken on the battlefield. “There is nothing good in this, first of all for them, because they are dying there and in large numbers,” he said.
Putin said, “It seems that France could play a role. All is not lost yet.” Over the weekend French President Macron floated the idea of a Ukraine ceasefire during the Paris Olympics, which is set to take place from July 26 to August 11 of this year:
France wants Russia to observe a cease-fire in Ukraine during this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with Ukrainian television on Saturday.
“This is a message of peace,” Macron said, before a voiceover interpreter quoted the French president as saying that France is doing so in line with the spirit of the Olympic movement.
Putin appeared to respond to this overture, saying in his Sunday address: “I’ve been saying it over and over again and I’ll say it again. We are for peace talks, but not just because the enemy is running out of bullets,” Putin stated.
“If they really, seriously, want to build peaceful, good-neighborly relations between the two states in the long term, and not simply take a break for rearmament for 1.5-2 years.”
The Kremlin followed up later with this exchange:
Commenting on the French President’s call for a ceasefire, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged Macron to stop weapon supplies to Ukraine, the TASS news agency reported.
Zakharova also said Macron should have proposed the same ceasefire to the sides of the conflict in the Middle East.
Putin elsewhere presented his re-election to another six year term as proof that the Russian populace stands behind him in defending Russia in the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine. “Dear friends, it’s a great pleasure this evening to be with members of my team, with members of my team, people who think alike, who have the same goals. But let’s think about this word, where it came from, comrade in arms, or teammates.” He stressed, “The votes of all citizens of Russia express the united will of the Russian Federation.”
“Everything is possible in the modern world. But it is clear to everyone that this is a step towards World War III. Hardly anyone is interested in this.” – President Putin responds to @EmmanuelMacronpic.twitter.com/Ox4kNetHH6— African (@ali_naka) March 18, 2024
He juxtaposed his ‘mandate’ with the state of affairs in America. “The whole world is laughing at what is happening there,” he said of the United States. “It is just a catastrophe — it is not democracy — what on earth is it?”
Putin was also asked about deceased opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died Feb.16 in a far northern prison of what was officially listed as ‘natural causes’. Putin confirmed reports that a major prisoner swap with the West was about to happen just before his “sad” death. On this swap which had been in the works just days before Navalny’s unexpected death, Putin explained: “I said: ‘I am agreed’. I had one condition — we exchange him but he never returns.”
Concerning the future of the war in Ukraine at a moment cross-border drone attacks have ramped up on Russian cities and energy infrastructure, Putin spoke of possibly establishing a major buffer zone. “I do not exclude that, bearing in mind the tragic events taking place today, we will be forced at some point, when we deem it appropriate, to create a certain ‘sanitary zone’ in the territories today under the Kyiv regime,” Putin said, but without giving further details.
Learn About The Nuclear Bloodbath MSM Won’t Warn You About
Most Germans Believe Army Can’t Defend Them – Poll
A majority of Germans have little to no confidence in their military’s ability to defend the nation in case of attack, according to a new survey. Three quarters of respondents said they don’t believe in the Bundeswehr’s capabilities, with only 10% feeling confident that they would be defended.
As many as 30% of Germans feel “no confidence at all” that the Armed Forces would be able to stand up to a potential adversary, the poll, conducted by the Civey polling company on behalf of Focus magazine, found. Another 45% have “low confidence” in the military, while 15% were undecided. Only 2% said their trust remained “very high” while 8% said it was “rather high.”
In terms of funding, a strong majority (69%) of Germans said their army needed more money, with 64% saying Berlin should spend more than 2% of its GDP on national defense.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius argued last November that the Bundeswehr needs a thorough upgrade to become “war-capable.” According to the survey, some 73% of Germans agree with Pistorius’ plans, while 64% even backed the re-introduction of compulsory military service that was abolished in 2011.
Read more Only 17% of Germans ready to defend their country – survey
Despite this, only half as many respondents (32%) said they were personally willing to take up arms and “actively participate in defensive combat operations” if their nation comes under attack. Some 44% said they would never take up arms under any circumstances.
Germany’s parliamentary commissioner for the Bundeswehr, Eva Hoegl, recently presented her annual report on the state of the national Armed Forces, admitting that the military is still suffering from thin ranks and inadequate equipment.
“The Bundeswehr is aging and shrinking,” the commissioner said last week, adding that the dropout rate in the military was “still very high,”while the number of new applications was even lower than last year.
The personnel and equipment shortages are being highlighted as Berlin continues to actively provide military aid to Kiev in its conflict with Moscow. Germany has emerged as the second biggest single military aid donor to Ukraine during the conflict, spending around $19 billion on arms for Kiev, according to the Kiel Institute for World Economy.
READ MORE: Germany reveals huge military shortages
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has even vowed to double the military aid to Ukraine this year, with the policy sparking concerns among some MPs. In November 2023, MP Johann Wadephul warned that some “crucial”Bundeswehr units would last no longer than two days in battle.
The Focus survey was conducted between March 11 and March 13 and involved 5,000 Germans aged 18 or older.
Learn About The Nuclear Bloodbath MSM Won’t Warn You About
US Confirms Israel Killed Hamas No. 3, But Biden Calls Rafah Ground Op ‘A Mistake’
On Monday the White House confirmed that Israel killed Hamas number three Marwan Issa in an operation on March 11. Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari had initially announced the likelihood of his death, but said the military is still awaiting confirmation. Some international reports have described Issa as the number two most important leader.
But what is clear is that Issa’s death marks the highest-ranking official of Hamas to be taken out during Israel’s war with Hamas began on Oct. 7. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed the news in a Monday afternoon press briefing.
YNet wrote that “Marwan Issa holds powerful position in the terror group as coordinator between military wing and the political leadership; reports of his death come after massive airstrikes on Nuseirat camp in central Gaza where he is believed to be hiding.”
Sullivan during the White House press briefing also answered questions over President Biden having held his first phone call in a month with his Israeli counterpart, PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
Sullivan said that Biden told Netanyahu that Israel has the “right to go after Hamas” – but still stressed that the impending ground operation on refugee-packed Rafah is a “mistake”.
A call readout indicted the two leaders focused on discussing “the latest developments in Israel and Gaza, including the situation in Rafah and efforts to surge humanitarian assistance to Gaza.” The readout from the Israeli side stressed “Israel’s commitment to achieving all the goals” of its operation, including “making sure Gaza is not a threat” alongside ensuring the continued supply of humanitarian aid.
But the division between Washington and Tel Aviv policy visions for Gaza continues to play out publicly. Sullivan said that Israel still doesn’t have an adequate plan for the safe evacuation of Rafah’s over one million civilians. But Israel has stressed repeatedly in the last several days that it does have a plan in place.
Watch the respective contrary positions in the below statements…
???WHITE HOUSE: “ISRAEL HAS NO PLAN FOR RAFAH CIVILIANS”
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 18, 2024
“More than a million people have taken refuge in Rafah.
Israel has not presented us or the world with a plan for how we’re where they can safely move those civilians – let alone feed and house them.”
Source: White… https://t.co/dFToUGCMtc pic.twitter.com/sQMLv5pCEk
Israeli media took notice too:
The White House on Monday sharply rejected the “straw man” argument adopted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that opposing a major Israeli military operation in Rafah is akin to opposing the total defeat of Hamas.
Netanyahu also on Monday told a gathering of AIPAC representatives (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) in Jerusalem that accusations coming out of Washington that he’s beholden to extremists in his government are “deliberate lies”. He was responding to the scathing criticisms issued last week Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who also called for new elections in Israel and accused Netanyahu of looking out for his own political future first.
Learn About The Nuclear Bloodbath MSM Won’t Warn You About
Putin Says Troops From NATO States Are In Ukraine & Dying In large Numbers
Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that it is no secret that troops from NATO states are on the ground in Ukraine. He also warned that these troops face extremely grim prospects. RT rpeorts: Speaking to his […]
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Global Watchdog Warns Gaza Is Facing ‘Catastrophic’ Hunger
A UN monitor group has warned that “famine is imminent” in northern Gaza, where an estimated 70% of the population face “catastrophic hunger“. Around 300,000 people remain trapped in the area, after months of Israeli bombardment […]
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Leftist Intervention
John’s leftist friends confront him about his descent into what they deem as right-wing extremism.