Zelenskyy Says Putin Has “Already Started” World War III as Ukraine conflict Nears Fourth Year

Nearly four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin “has already started” World War III, stressing that Kyiv is acting as a frontline to prevent the conflict from escalating globally.

In a series of posts on X summarising his recent interview with the BBC, Zelenskyy said there are differing opinions on whether the war in Ukraine amounts to a third world war but maintained that, in his view, the process has already begun.

“And we are preventing him from turning this into a broader, full-scale World War III. Today, we are the outpost stopping Putin," he added.

His remarks come a day ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022.

Why Does Zelenskyy Say Air Defence Is Ukraine’s Most Critical Challenge in the War?

"Air defence is the most challenging issue today. Unfortunately, partners have not yet granted licenses that would allow us to produce, for example, Patriot systems ourselves, or at least manufacture missiles for the systems we already have. So far, we have not achieved success in this," he stated, referring to the US-made MIM-104 Patriot system.

Calling for greater support, Zelenskyy underscored the importance of securing Ukraine’s airspace to protect civilians and ensure economic stability amid the ongoing conflict.

"How can we make Ukraine stronger in this war? It's obvious: close the sky. If civilians are protected, our rear is secured, people are working, children are in school, the economy is functioning, there is money, there are taxes that go to the front. In this way, we strengthen the army. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case. We need licenses at least for the missiles," his post read.

The Ukrainian President’s remarks highlight the country’s continued struggle to bolster its defences against sustained Russian attacks, which have also severely impacted daily life in the capital, Kyiv.

“Yesterday we had electricity for five hours straight and it felt like luxury,” Ukrainian lawmaker Kira Rudik said, describing daily life in Kyiv as Russia’s winter strikes batter the capital’s power and heating supplies.

How Do EU Funding Disputes Threaten Ukraine Amid the Ongoing War?

Rudik, a member of Ukraine’s parliament from the pro-European Holos party, spoke to TVP World in Kyiv about what she called an “unbearable” routine of blackouts, no running water, and cold apartments.

Her comments come as a dispute inside the European Union threatens to complicate financial support for Ukraine.

Hungary has signaled it will block a reported €90 billion EU loan package unless Russian oil transits resume via the Druzhba pipeline, an energy artery feeding Hungary and Slovakia through Ukrainian territory.

Slovakia has also threatened to halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine if the standoff continues.

Asked whether Kyiv should repair the pipeline to unlock the money, Rudik rejected the premise: “Ukraine shouldn't be fixing any pipelines,” she said, calling the Hungarian campaign “victim blaming” and warning there is no guarantee damaged infrastructure would not be hit again.

Rudik also pushed back against calls for Ukraine to hold elections while martial law remains in force. “There is no demand within the Ukrainian public to hold elections,” she said, arguing the constitution bars voting during wartime and that elections could “tear our country apart” before security is restored.

Her remarks follow a broader debate over how elections would work amid mass population displacements and tens of thousands of Ukrainians serving at the front while the country continues to endure missile and drone attacks.

Rudik said Ukraine wants any peace process rooted in Europe’s security reality, but warned against a deal that ends the fighting without what she described as justice for Ukrainians.

(With inputs from ANI)