Russia threatens to 'march on Paris' as Putin ally issues WW3 warning

Vladimir Putin’s chief propagandist, Vladimir Solovyov, has sparked international concern after issuing a direct warning to France, claiming that Russian forces could one day “march on Paris.”

This fiery statement came in response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent interview with French network LCI, where he branded Putin “a predator and an ogre at our doorstep.” Macron’s unusually sharp remarks were quickly picked up inside Russia, fueling Solovyov’s aggressive counterattack on his television program.

Solovyov, often described as the Kremlin’s loudest mouthpiece, accused France and NATO of threatening Russia’s security. Referencing long-standing Kremlin fears about NATO expansion, he said that Western actions at Russia’s borders could force Moscow to retaliate, even boasting about Russian troops one day standing on the Champs-Élysées while Macron “polishes the boots of a Russian officer.”

This war of words comes as NATO leaders are considering new security guarantees for Ukraine. France, along with the UK and Estonia, has even floated the possibility of sending peacekeeping forces, something Russia flatly rejected.

The rhetoric also carries historic symbolism. The last time Russian troops entered Paris was in 1814 at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. According to folklore, the French word bistro supposedly originated from Russian soldiers demanding food “bystryy” (quickly) in cafés during that occupation.

Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its military campaign in Ukraine. Recent strikes on Kyiv targeted the British Council and EU offices, killing 15 people, including children. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack as “senseless,” while Macron described it as “terror and barbarism,” pointing out that over 600 missiles and drones were fired in a single night.

These developments highlight how quickly tensions are deepening not only between Russia and Ukraine, but also between Moscow and Western powers like France. Solovyov’s threats may be propaganda, but they underscore the growing risk of a wider confrontation in Europe.