After the combative Oval Office meeting, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Zelenskyy 'can come back when he is ready for peace,' upending talks to ending the war in Ukraine.
WW3 is absolutely coming, make no mistake about it. The only thing that's unclear at this point is the timing, and who will be on which side exactly when it happens.
If you're between 16 and 26 and live in Europe, this would be the time to get out. Conscription is unavoidable at this point.
The idea that Russia would escalate if it loses in Ukraine is absolutely ridiculous. Russia in 2014 was doing great. If Ukraine wins, Russia goes back to a prosperous nation like it was in 2014.
Not sure if it's what OP meant, but I think Russia winning is what sets the immutable path to world war.
This is a test of the global west. If it faulters, Russia takes another stab at Europe within 5 years. China at Taiwan. Probably coordinated on timing to further test the resolve of the west.
As long as Russia has bodies to throw at a conflict, it has no reason to stop. Russia fully switched to a wartime economy, not something you do if you're not in it for the long haul.
If the elections had turned out differently, things might have been differently as well. Alas...
I definitely hope I'm wrong about this. I claim no special insight or understanding other than simple pattern recognition and some decent knowledge of history.
Yes Russia has no reason to stop but also loses nothing if they don't take Ukraine. That's why the idea that they will start WW3 is ridiculous. Putin will not risk his life over some mineral rights when Russia already has a surplus of minerals.
Yes indeed, there was no reason for Russia to invade Ukraine ... yet Putin did it, three times now, and keeps demanding Ukraine gives up nukes, weaponry, and lately any form of standing army....
And everyone is convinced he'll be back to destroy Ukraine within 5 years if hes not tapped on the nose firmly now.
And when he has Ukraine he'll feel free to start kicking Europe in the soft spots.
WW3 will only happen if China's leadership decides that, before they all die of old age, they want to retake Taiwan. I'm not sure what cascade of alliances and boycotts will occur, but cutting off global manufacturing and computer chip production will definitely cause something to happen.