Free Republic

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Friday that any direct confrontation with NATO troops would result in “global catastrophe,” as he claimed that his divisive mobilization was nearly complete. The Russian leader warned Kyiv’s allies against any military presence in Ukraine while speaking with reporters from the Kazakh capital of Astana. “The introduction of troops into a direct confrontation with the Russian army is a very dangerous step that could lead to a global catastrophe,” he said when asked if the conflict could eventually involve NATO and Russian troops in direct combat.