Russia dictator Vladimir Putin said on Friday (20) was concerned about the possibility of a third world war due to the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. The statement was made during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where the leader of the Russian regime addressed both the war in Ukraine and the growing tension between Israel and Iran.
Putin pointed out that recent events in the region, such as Israeli attacks against Iran’s nuclear facilities, increase the risk of a global war.
“It’s worrying … what’s happening in the Middle East, and of course we are very concerned about what is happening in Iran’s nuclear facilities,” Putin said.
The Russian dictator stressed that his country continues to support Iranian law to what he called “peaceful use of nuclear energy” and revealed that he maintains Russian technicians working in reactors in the Persian country, even in the face of aggravation of tensions.
“We defend Iran’s right to the peaceful atom. We built a nuclear reactor in Bushehr (in Iran) and, despite the complexity and danger, we follow this work. We are not evacuating our people there,” he added.
Regarding the ongoing confrontation between Israel and Iran, Putin said he believed that it is still possible to find a negotiated solution. According to him, Moscow maintains “almost daily” contact with Iranian authorities and also dialogues with Israeli representatives, offering “ideas to avoid climbing conflict.”
“We do not seek to mediate, we just propose ideas. If they are accepted by both, we will be satisfied,” he said.
During the event, Putin also addressed the war in Ukraine, reaffirming his view of the bonds between Russians and Ukrainians and warning of the consequences of a possible nuclear climbing in this conflict.
“[…] I consider it Russians and Ukrainians one people – in fact, in this sense, all Ukraine is ours. […] If Ukraine uses a nuclear bomb, that would be a colossal error … Maybe its last mistake … We always respond to all threats in a reciprocal way … So our answer will be very tough and probably catastrophic for the regime, and unfortunately to Ukraine itself. I hope this never happens, ”he said.
