Putin's 'Merchant Of Death' Viktor Bout Says 'Whole Planet Will Commit Suicide' If West's Destruction Of Civilization Isn't Stopped

Viktor Bout, a former K.G.B. officer and a personal friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the developments in the West look like a “suicide of civilization.” 

What Happened: Bout was freed by the U.S. in exchange for American basketball star Brittney Griner on Thursday from detainment in Moscow. Griner was held for the past 10 months on charges of possessing some cannabis oil, which was legally prescribed to her in the U.S.

Popularly known as ‘Merchant Of Death,' Bout was serving a prison sentence in America on arms trafficking charges. 

See Also: Putin Slams West's Attempts For ‘Dominance By Any Means' — ‘They Deliberately Multiply Chaos'

On his return to Russia, in an interview with the Kremlin-controlled TV network RT news, he said, “What is happening in the West is simply the suicide of civilization. And, if this suicide is not prevented, at least within the non-Western world, within the world that is not controlled by the Anglo-Saxons, then the whole planet will commit suicide. And it may be happening in all areas, with drugs and LGBT+ among them.”

On Saturday, Bout told Russian media that he "wholeheartedly" supports Putin's "military operation" in Ukraine and that if he had the opportunity and necessary skills, he would "certainly go as a volunteer."

Bout also confirmed that he had a portrait of President Putin in his prison cell. "Yes, always. Why not? I'm proud that I'm Russian and that our president is Putin."

Check out more of Benzinga’s Europe and Asia coverage by following this link.