"A third world war could be the end of civilization," Putin went on, saying the high stakes "should restrain us from taking extreme steps on the international arena that are highly dangerous for modern civilization." Perhaps more than any other country, Russia has the nuclear capability to end the world. With around 7,000 nuclear weapons, and the most diverse and destructive nuclear arsenal, Putin could unilaterally decide to embark on a civilization-ending war.
The US and other Western countries sanctioned Russia in 2014 over its illegal annexation of Crimea, a peninsula on the Black Sea in Ukraine.Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual call-in question show contained broad talk of improving Russia's economy, the upcoming soccer World Cup - and some ominous warnings about World War III.
Putin frequently frames his country as resisting Western aggression designed to hold back Russia, often citing Western sanctions on the Russians economy.
But asked about those sanctions on Thursday, Putin said they were "because Russia is seen as a threat, because Russia is seen as becoming a competitor." "It is clear to us that we have to defend our interests, and to do so consistently, not boorishly or rudely, in both the sphere of the economy and of defence," said Putin. "The pressure will end when our partners will be persuaded that the methods they are using are ineffective, counterproductive and harmful to all."
When asked whether "non-stop" sanctions could lead to World War III, Putin pulled an Albert Einstein quote to deliver a dark warning. He said: "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones," NBC News reports.
https://www.businessinsider.in