Ukrainian Prime Minister: "If Russia is Defeated, World War III Will Break Out"

Ukrainian Prime Minister Pressures US House to Pass Aid Bill

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on the 17th (local time) that if Ukraine loses the war against Russia, a 'Third World War' could break out.

Prime Minister Shmyhal of Ukraine
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In an interview with the British BBC, Prime Minister Shmyhal urged the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Ukraine aid bill, saying, "We needed this money not tomorrow or today, but yesterday," and emphasized, "If we are not supported, Ukraine will fall."

He added, "Ukraine's defeat would mean the collapse of the global security system," and argued, "If a new security system is not eventually found, many conflicts and wars will occur, ultimately leading to a Third World War."

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to hold a plenary session on the 20th to vote on a $61 billion (approximately 83.8 trillion KRW) Ukraine aid budget bill. The bill has not been passed due to opposition from hardliners within the U.S. Republican Party. Prime Minister Shmyhal stated that he maintains a 'cautiously optimistic' view regarding the passage of the bill.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also warned of a world war. In September last year, he said, "If Ukraine falls, Russia will invade Poland," adding, "That could trigger the start of the Third World War."

In response, the Russian government denied the possibility of a European invasion, claiming that Ukraine and the West are deliberately creating anxiety.