Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros claimed that the conflict in Ukraine could be the beginning of the Third World War and that civilization would not survive. According to him, the only way to control this process would be to defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as possible.
The statements were made during a dinner yesterday in Davos, Switzerland, where the World Economic Forum was held.
“Infestation [da Ucrânia pela Rússia] It may be the beginning of the Third World War and our civilization may not survive,” he said. “We must mobilize all our resources so that the war ends as soon as possible.”
However, the investor and philanthropist was skeptical of the ceasefire in the region. “A ceasefire cannot be achieved because it is unreliable. Putin will have to initiate peace talks, he will not do that because it would mean giving up,” he said.
The war in Ukraine has reached its third month with hundreds of dead and displaced people. The Russian Defense Ministry said it would slow down the attack, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky objected.
“About 30,000 Russian soldiers died. More than 200 planes were shot down. Thousands of Russian tanks, armored vehicles and other equipment were lost. Russian missile ammunition is almost completely depleted. And they want to cover it up with their lies that they are not fighting at full strength,” Zelensky said in a statement last night. he questioned.
Figures reported by the Ukrainian president could not be verified by independent sources. Russia did not disclose the number of casualties it suffered.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has reached its 91st day: see pictures
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The European Union may have an advantage over natural gas
Soros was optimistic about the European Union’s stance on Russian gas. The bloc is having trouble agreeing on a new package of sanctions against Russia because member states are heavily dependent on Russian hydrocarbons for their energy supply.
“I think Putin is very smart and blackmailing Europe by threatening to cut off gas. But actually his case is not as solid as he claims,” Soros said.
He argued that Russia had deliberately created a situation of famine last winter by storing the gas rather than sending it to Europe, which drove up prices but also filled its tanks, which “will be full by July from now on”.
The Russian president “managed to terrorize Europe in a crisis and one way or another.” He is in a tense situation now. “Something needs to be done about this gas, and the only place that can absorb it is because there are pipelines, Europe,” he said.
Soros said that he explained this situation in a letter to Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, but has not yet received a response.
Chinese Criticism
The traditional dinner organized by Soros in Davos is one of the most anticipated events of the global political and business elite in the Swiss city. The last time was in January 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Soros, the founder of the Open Society Foundation, also used his speech this year to aim for the usual target of Chinese President Xi Jinping. He described Xi and Putin as “dictators” whose countries pose “the greatest threat to an open society”. “They are united in an alliance that knows no borders.
They also have a lot in common. “They rule by intimidation, and as a result they make incomprehensible mistakes.”
“Putin hoped to be greeted as a savior in Ukraine. Xi Jinping adheres to the no-continuing zero covid policy,” he added, referring to China’s strict quarantines to contain coronavirus outbreaks.
*With Information from AFP and Deutsche Welle
source: Noticias
