Vladimir Putin May Threaten World War 3, But Thousands Of Russians Are Marching For Ukraine

When Vladimir Putin discusses the possibility of World War 3 he appears to be speaking out of both sides of his mouth. Putin extends an olive branch by declaring Russia has no plans for “large-scale conflicts” over the Ukraine war, yet at the same time makes threatening statements about Russia’s nuclear weapons and the Russian military’s ability to invade eastern European nations. Tens of thousands of Russian apparently feel enough is enough and have been marching in protest in Moscow.

In a related report by the Inquisitr, former presidential adviser Andrey Illarionov claimed that Vladimir Putin has been planning for a major war since at least 2003. But Nigel Farage, leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party, suggests that the U.S. and Russia need to stop squabbling over Ukraine and instead enlist Putin to focus on the larger threat of the Islamic State. There’s also some who blame the United States for instigating World War 3, although some conspiracy theorists go way out into left field by suggesting a Jewish conspiracy out of Israel is pushing for WW3.

Earlier in the month, Vladimir Putin painted the Ukraine war as being like World War II, except in this case the U.S.-backed Ukraine are the Nazis and the Russian separatists are the Soviet citizens of Leningrad.

“Small villages and large cities are surrounded by the Ukrainian army, which is directly hitting residential areas with the aim of destroying the infrastructure,” Putin said. “It sadly reminds me of the events of the Second World War, when German fascist… occupiers surrounded our cities.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, Putin also warned the West that it’s “best not to mess with us” while also saying, “”Thank God, I think no one is thinking of unleashing a large-scale conflict with Russia. I want to remind you that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers.”

According to the Pew Research Center, 52 percent of Russians believe that Ukraine has “become a puppet in the hands of the West and the U.S.A., who are pursuing an anti-Russia policy.” The 48 percent of Russian who apparently disagreed with Vladimir Putin rose up in massive protests, with an estimated 50,000 people marching through downtown Moscow during this past week. Demonstrators for the People’s Freedom Party, Yabloko, and Progress Party were heard chanting, “peace to Ukraine, freedom to Russia” and “no Putin, no war,” and “Russia without Putin.”

Boris Nemtsov is a former Russian deputy prime minister who helped organize the march against Vladimir Putin. He wrote on Facebook that “not even the lying propaganda machine [of the Kremlin] can dismiss tens of thousands of educated and free-thinking people as a fringe,” which was probably a reference to the official police estimate claiming only 5,000 people were involved.

Nemtsov also painted Putin as the aggressor pushing for World War 3.

“The main outcome in Russia was a serious anti-war movement and peace party, which today look dignified and powerful; especially against the backdrop of a war party, whose leader is Putin…. The March was attended by some nationalists and left-wing organization that indicates a serious schism in the left and the nationalist movement on the issue of war with Ukraine. Because Putin is for war, the march of peace was pronounced as anti-Putin in nature…. The march had a very important psychological effect. Supporters of the world saw each other and it turned out there is a lot of us; very much! It attaches and strengthens our faith in our victory.”

According to The Washington Post, some of these marching Russians claimed “there’s an active war between our countries” and that “the people are total zombies as to what is happening.” It’s believed the peace rally didn’t get quite reach the number seen in March, when a protest occurred before Russia officially annexed Crimea, but some noted there were “many new faces.”

“We must always show [Putin] that there are people who think differently,” said 62-year-old Tatyana Komendant. “There is a lot of propaganda — but you write that we don’t all think that way.”

Supporters of Vladimir Putin’s policies were also vocal in their support. A counter-protest to the march attempted to hold flags in support of Putin and also for the “Donetsk People’s Republic,” which is located in eastern Ukraine, but it’s claimed their efforts were drowned out by the pro-Ukraine protesters. It’s also claimed these people were “aggressive” and “drunk” and attempted to provoke the pro-Ukraine protesters.

According to The Associated Press, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov accused the United States of not being able to abandon its Cold War “genetic code.” He also claimed the Ukraine war was the result of an uprising against former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich “backed by the US and the European Union for the purpose of pulling Kiev out of its ‘organic role as a binding link between’ east and west, denying it the opportunity for ‘neutral and non-bloc status.'” Although German foreign minister claimed the Russian annexation of Crimea “broke international law,” Lavroy said the Russian-speaking population made the final decision.

What do you think about the allegations by these Russian protesters that Vladimir Putin is pushing for war?