Ukraine’s Prime Minister has issued a stark warning, suggesting that a “Third World War” could erupt if Ukraine fails to withstand its conflict with Russia. Denys Shmyhal emphasized the urgency of passing a long-delayed foreign aid bill in the US Congress, expressing cautious hope that the $61bn earmarked for Kyiv would be approved. The House of Representatives is slated to vote on this critical measure this coming Saturday, encompassing funding not only for Ukraine but also for Israel and the Indo-Pacific region.
In a conversation with the BBC in Washington DC, Prime Minister Shmyhal stressed the immediate need for US security assistance, highlighting the dire consequences if Ukraine were to falter. He emphasized that without protection, Ukraine’s fall could dismantle the global security framework, potentially plunging the world into numerous conflicts and ultimately leading to a catastrophic Third World War.
Such warnings from Ukraine are not new; President Volodymyr Zelensky previously cautioned that a Russian victory could embolden further aggression, potentially sparking a wider conflict that might even draw in NATO members like Poland. However, Russian officials have dismissed these concerns as Western fearmongering, with President Putin labeling suggestions of Russian aggression towards Eastern Europe as baseless.
Prime Minister Shmyhal also addressed concerns raised by Republican House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul regarding potential Russian propaganda influencing members of his own party. Shmyhal acknowledged the pervasive impact of disinformation campaigns, noting their influence not only in the United States but also across the European Union and Ukraine itself.
Despite bipartisan support for aid to Ukraine, opposition from certain factions within the Republican party has impeded assistance efforts for months, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions and ideological divides.