'A Third World War Has Become Inevitable' — Vucic Warns as Europe Arms Itself

The world is moving towards a major military conflict, former Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic has warned. He claims that in the current situation a third world war has become inevitable.

He made the remarks amid a trend of rapidly growing military capability and rising defence spending across Europe. The pace at which the continent's countries are arming themselves is what Vucic sees as the main cause for concern.

His comments were first reported by regional media on Tuesday (October 20). On Wednesday (October 21), Anadolu Agency published his remarks in translation.

In an interview with Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak, Vucic expressed concern over the increase in defence spending and the strengthening of military capability in various European countries.

According to him, states across Europe, including the Scandinavian countries, are building up their military strength. One country after another is raising its defence budget and reshaping its forces.

In this context, Vucic cited the example of the German defence equipment manufacturer Rheinmetall. He claimed that growing demand for military equipment has increased the company's profits 17-fold.

Vucic said, 'If you cannot see how Europe is arming itself, then you are deliberately ignoring it. But why are they arming? For what purpose?'

That question carries his central concern. Vucic's argument is that military preparation on such a scale does not happen without a purpose, and that this preparation ultimately points towards a major conflict.

His remarks, centred on European countries' growing military preparations, have created fresh discussion about the international security situation. The debate over whether rising defence spending is a precautionary deterrent or preparation for a coming conflict has returned to the fore.

It is not yet clear how seriously Europe's capitals will take Vucic's warning. For now, discussion around his comments continues, as does the trend of rising defence spending across the continent.