Putin’s waning: Is this the beginning of World War III?

Putin is warning the world is staring down the barrel of the most dangerous decade since the end of World War Two.

In a wide-ranging speech, Putin slammed the West, accusing NATO of using nuclear blackmail to scare allies away from Russia.

He spent a significant amount of time justifying his invasion of Ukraine, a move which has largely left his nation isolated from the rest of the world.

It follows the West condemning Moscow’s recent nuclear threats, with NATO rejecting claims made by Russia that Ukraine might use a “dirty bomb.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance “rejects this allegation” and “Russia must not use it as a pretext for escalation.”

Putin made this recent speech at the annual Valdai forum after a number of military defeats in Ukraine.

There’s also growing public dissatisfaction within Russia after some 300,000 citizens were mobilised to help fight in the war.

Putin’s speech today was evidently an attempt to win back domestic approval.

Blaming the West for “igniting” the war, he insists there must be a new world order based on “law and justice.”

He says Western nations are engaging in a “dangerous, bloody and dirty game” of denying countries sovereignty and uniqueness – and the West’s “undivided dominance” over world affairs is coming to an end.

It comes as the U.S. says it is “certainly concerned” about escalation in Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Llyod Austin says Russia’s use of a nuclear weapon would result in “a very significant response from the international community,” but concedes open dialogue and communication could help manage tensions.