Zelensky says 'nobody knows' whether World War III has already started

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that the Russian invasion of his country could be the beginning of World War III.
"Nobody knows whether it may have already started," Zelensky told NBC News' Lester Holt in an interview that aired Wednesday. "And what is the possibility of this war if Ukraine will fall, in case Ukraine will? It's very hard to say. And we've seen this 80 years ago, when the Second World War had started ... nobody would be able to predict when the full-scale war would start."
Zelensky has been asking for a no-fly zone over Ukraine, but the United States and other Western countries do not want to directly engage with Russia, over concerns this will quickly escalate the situation. The U.S. is sending additional military support to Ukraine, including 800 anti-aircraft systems and 9,000 anti-armor systems, and Zelensky said there are "smaller countries ... there are neighboring countries of Ukraine that are former USSR Republic. They are watching very attentively to the response to such a treacherous invasion."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Holt asked Zelensky if he thinks the United States would become more directly involved in the war if Russia crossed a "red line" with chemical weapons, and Zelensky responded that Russia has already crossed "all the red lines. If they're launching intentionally those missiles against kindergartens, against schools, universities, now, that is a cross of every single line. What else should we wait for? For letting Russians kill 200, 300, or 400 children?"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
What does 'conquering' Gaza mean to Israel?
Today's Big Question Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has approved a plan to displace much of the Palestinian population while seizing and occupying the territory on a long-term basis.
-
Casey Means: the controversial 'wellness influencer' nominated for surgeon general
In the Spotlight Means has drawn controversy for her closeness to RFK Jr.
-
Trump taps Fox News' Pirro for DC attorney post
speed read The president has named Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to be the top federal prosecutor for Washington, replacing acting US Attorney Ed Martin
-
The secret lives of Russian saboteurs
Under The Radar Moscow is recruiting criminal agents to sow chaos and fear among its enemies
-
Ukraine-Russia: is peace deal possible after Easter truce?
Today's Big Question 'Decisive week' will tell if Putin's surprise move was cynical PR stunt or genuine step towards ending war
-
What's behind Russia's biggest conscription drive in years?
Today's Big Question Putin calls up 160,000 men, sending a threatening message to Ukraine and Baltic states
-
Is the 'coalition of the willing' going to work?
Today's Big Question PM's proposal for UK/French-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine provokes 'hostility' in Moscow and 'derision' in Washington
-
Russia's spies: skulduggery in Great Yarmouth
In the Spotlight 'Amateurish' spy ring in Norfolk seaside town exposes the decline of Russian intelligence
-
Can Ukraine make peace with Trump in Saudi Arabia?
Talking Point Zelenskyy and his team must somehow navigate the gap between US president's 'demands and threats'
-
Ukraine: where do Trump's loyalties really lie?
Today's Big Question 'Extraordinary pivot' by US president – driven by personal, ideological and strategic factors – has 'upended decades of hawkish foreign policy toward Russia'
-
Is Europe's defence too reliant on the US?
Today's Big Question As the UK and EU plan to 're-arm', how easy will it be to disentangle from US equipment and support?