Putin expressed concern about an escalation in Iran and warned of a world war.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, expressed his deep concern on Friday about the growing possibility of a third world war, pointing to the conflicts in Ukraine and especially in the Middle East as possible triggers.

In his speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin emphasized that "there is a lot of potential for conflict at this moment" and stressed that "all conflicts must be solved by peaceful means."

Putin directed harsh criticism at NATO, accusing it of ignoring Russia's security interests with its continued eastward expansion, describing this stance as an example of "Western neocolonialism."

He also referred to the tensions in Iran, mentioning that U.S. President Donald Trump had promised to support the Russian request to guarantee the safety of its personnel at the Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran.

On the subject of the Middle East, Putin preached about the possible "catastrophic" consequences of Israeli warnings to assassinate Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "I hope that remains just rhetoric," he said, reflecting the growing alarm in Moscow over the rapid escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Regarding Ukraine, Putin reaffirmed his well-known position: "I believe that the Russian and Ukrainian peoples are one. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours. Wherever a Russian soldier steps, it is ours."

From the Russian Foreign Ministry, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that a U.S. attack on Iran "would radically destabilize the entire situation." In statements to the Interfax agency, Ryabkov revealed that Russia has warned the United States about the risks of becoming directly involved in the conflict, which has already caused the deaths of hundreds in Iran and dozens in Israel in less than a week.

This warning was echoed by the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, who criticized the silence of the international community in the face of attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities: "Nuclear facilities are being attacked. Where is the concern of the world community? Where are the environmentalists?" Zakharova emphasized that the world is "millimeters" from a catastrophe.

Russia has expressed its willingness to act as a mediator between Iran, Israel, and the United States, although Putin clarified that Moscow doesn't impose solutions, but rather proposes possible diplomatic outcomes. "The decision, of course, belongs to the political leaders of these countries, mainly Iran and Israel," Putin told media in St. Petersburg.

Despite the Russian offer to mediate in the crisis, Trump rejected it after a call with Putin. According to the president, he told the Russian leader: "Mediate in your own problems first. Mediate in Russia, then worry about this."

Nevertheless, sources close to the Kremlin claim that Moscow has already shared solution proposals with the parties involved. Putin stressed that his interest is to avoid further destabilization, although several experts indicate that Russia is playing a careful strategy to maintain its influence without becoming militarily involved.

Although a high-ranking Russian general suggested after the first Israeli attacks that World War III had already begun and called for the mobilization of one million soldiers, various analysts state that Russia has no real intention of intervening militarily, given its current limitations due to the war in Ukraine.

In fact, some Russian analysts see the crisis as a timely distraction. Ruslan Pukhov, director of a strategic center in Moscow, argued that "Ukraine will suffer the greatest political and military damage in this situation, apart from Iran," noting that the conflict redirects global attention and potentially U.S. military resources toward Israel.

However, the risks for Moscow are considerable. The fall of the Iranian regime would endanger Russian investments in energy and infrastructure and reduce its strategic presence in the region. It was also warned that widespread destabilization could affect regions such as the South Caucasus, where Russia has direct influence.

In response to the situation, Russia, together with China and Pakistan, requested a second emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, scheduled for Friday. Meanwhile, European ministers will hold nuclear negotiations with Iran in Geneva, although without U.S. participation.

Finally, Moscow harshly criticized Israel in a statement on Tuesday, accusing it of sabotaging diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran and of bringing the world closer to a nuclear catastrophe.

"The destructive actions of the Israeli leadership are only supported by those states that act as accomplices motivated by opportunistic interests," concluded the Russian Foreign Ministry.