On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned the Western powers that a direct confrontation between Russia and the NATO alliance, led by the United States, would bring the world perilously close to the brink of a third global conflict. However, he emphasized that very few desire such a catastrophic outcome. The conflict in Ukraine has sparked the most significant strain in Moscow’s relations with the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Putin said he was prepared to hold talks with Kyiv based on written security guarantees but added that the West should prioritize helping Kyiv regain control of its territory.
Putin’s warning came a day after he won an absolute majority in the country’s presidential elections in a vote widely described as pre-ordained. Observers say the victory reaffirms Moscow’s determination to escalate its confrontation with Western countries over Ukraine.
During his campaign, Putin made clear that he would prioritize resolving issues associated with what he called the special Russian military operation in Ukraine. He also stressed that he would continue to boost Russia’s armed forces in the battleground. With significant opposition leader Alexei Navalny dead and other top figures either abroad, in jail, or unwell, the Kremlin-backed candidate won without serious competition.
Putin also hailed his victory and defended his policies, including centralizing power and suppressing political dissent. Critics, however, say that he has used his new six-year term to consolidate his grip on power and prepare Russian society for perpetual warfare with the West.
In his first comment after winning a fifth term in office, Putin warned the West of a dangerous escalation of tensions over Ukraine and reiterated that Moscow will not back down from its invasion of Crimea. He also dismissed allegations that he had used state funds to rig the election.
He added that his victory signals the international community that Russia’s policy of “no compromises on sovereignty and territorial integrity” is justified. He also warned that Western countries risked a full-scale war in Ukraine if they deployed ground troops to the conflict zone.
Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that he could not rule out the deployment of ground troops in Ukraine in the future. This prompted many Western nations to distance themselves from the deployment while others expressed support, especially in Eastern Europe.
China’s stance enabled Xi Jinping to stay focused on deeper goals, such as reshaping a global order that he believes is unfairly dominated by rules and values set by the United States and its allies. A stable relationship with Moscow also helps Xi keep Beijing from being drawn into a potential rivalry with the United States over Taiwan and the South China Sea. The next few years will be crucial for the relationship between Moscow and Beijing. They will be shaped by the outcome of the US mid-term elections and the direction of Russia’s relations with other key powers, such as China.
