“This would mean the end for everyone!” – Analyst discusses the threat of World War III

The accelerating arms build-up in Europe and rising tensions between Russia and the West are fuelling concerns about a global war. Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has also declined to rule out the outbreak of World War III, describing its prevention as a miracle.

Is World War III on the horizon?

Speaking to TodayPress TV, political analyst Abutalib Samadov said the threat of World War III had increased significantly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“The danger of World War III coming close to becoming a reality increased sharply after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The West began openly supporting Ukraine, and a large coalition was formed.

“However, they were afraid to take decisive action. Ukraine’s airspace was not closed, nor were its armed forces fully rearmed. Assistance was also provided subject to certain restrictions. For a long time, Ukraine was not supplied with F-16 fighter jets, and the required number of Patriot systems was not delivered. These problems persist today. More recently, serious difficulties have also emerged regarding intelligence information and Starlink,” the expert said.

According to Samadov, predictions by heads of state who claimed that a world war had already begun have not proved accurate.

The analyst does not consider a global war likely within the next 10 to 15 years.

“For a world war to break out, the major powers would have to confront one another directly. For now, however, the major powers are mostly supporting one another. Unfortunately, in the war in Ukraine, the United States and China have also sided with Russia,” he said.

Samadov believes international relations could change in the future, but major powers are opting for caution because they recognise the consequences of a potential catastrophe.

“Could these relations change in the future? Of course, they could. But there is the threat of annihilation, and that creates fear. For this reason, the world’s major powers prefer to act cautiously. This applies particularly to the United States and its allies,” he said.

The political analyst noted that Russia had suffered significant losses in the war in Ukraine and was unlikely to launch a new military campaign.

“Russia has been seriously weakened in Ukraine, and the likelihood of it launching a new military campaign is extremely low. Therefore, the threat of a world war undoubtedly remains. However, such a war appears unlikely to materialise in the coming years. Hopefully, the major powers will learn from future developments and do everything they can to prevent a world war. Such a conflict would mean the end for everyone,” he said.

According to Samadov, localised conflicts in individual countries are also unlikely, in and of themselves, to escalate into a world war.

Jala Rovshan