Putin Says Continuation of International Conflicts Is Highly Likely as World Changes

By Reuters Oct. 1, 2026 kremlin.ru Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that international conflicts were highly likely to continue as the world changed, but that the situation would get better as what he called Western hegemony waned. "Regardless of which scenario unfolds globally in the coming years, the continuation of international conflicts is, unfortunately, highly likely," he said at the Valdai Forum of international Russia experts in Moscow. "This is due in part to the fact that ongoing fundamental shifts — and the opportunities they present — fuel ambitions and a willingness to take risks for the sake of a seemingly massive payoff," Putin said. He also said it was impossible to be sure that weapons of mass destruction would never be used, and stressed the need to prevent such a scenario. "Can we be sure this weapon will never be used? Of course not. We must keep this in mind and avoid it," he said. This story is developing. Read more about: Putin Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Feature Shaken By Mutiny, Kremlin Goes Into PR Crisis Control With eight months to go until the 2024 presidential election, the Kremlin is seeking to convince the nation that nothing significant happened. 5 Min read Kremlin Insists Putin Has 'Astounding' Support After Mutiny The Kremlin and Putin have repeatedly insisted that Russians rallied around the president during the Wagner Group's revolt despite evidence to the contrary... 2 Min read Putin Says 'Didn't Doubt' Support of Russians During Wagner Mutiny Residents had been seen cheering for Wagner troops as they pulled out of the city of Rostov-on-Don after calling off their mutiny. 1 Min read Mobile Web Access Blocked at Business Forum Ahead of Putin Speech According to independent media reports, the disruption is a preventative measure against a possible drone attack on the Russian leader. 2 Min read