St. Petersburg: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday expressed concern about the growing threat of a third world war, pointing to the escalating conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as dangerous flashpoints.

According to Anadolu Agency, Putin emphasized the high potential for conflict during a speech at the St. Petersburg forum, stressing the need for peaceful resolutions to all disputes. He criticized NATO for its eastward expansion, accusing the alliance of ignoring Russia's security concerns and labeling it a continuation of the West's neocolonial policies.

In his address, Putin mentioned that US President Donald Trump had assured support for Russia's request to ensure the safety of its personnel at the Bushehr nuclear facility in Iran.

Regarding the Middle East, Putin addressed reports of Israel's alleged threat to assassinate Iran's supreme leader, Ali Ayatollah Khamenei, expressing hope that such threats would remain mere rhetoric.

Putin reiterated his stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, asserting the unity of Russian and Ukrainian peoples. He stated, "I believe the Russian and Ukrainian peoples are one. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours. Wherever a Russian soldier steps is ours."