WWIII Risk Reduced? Why a Military Leader Claims Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine Actually Made the World ‘Safer’

A retired British military leader argues that Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has, “paradoxically” made the world a “safer place.”

When Russian forces crossed the border on February 24, 2022, the Kremlin anticipated Kyiv's swift collapse, some predicting mere days until its fall.

However, two years later, the conflict persists. Recent estimates from Ukraine's Armed Forces reveal staggering losses on the Russian side: 462,980 troops, 26 warships, 348 planes, 325 helicopters, 7,255 tanks and 13,942 armored vehicles.

Air Vice-Marshal Sean Bell asserts that Putin's "special military operation" has rendered Russia less of a threat to Europe than previously perceived.

He remarked to the Daily Mail, "Paradoxically, the world has become a safer place since Russia invaded Ukraine...we were worried about Russia’s military capability — but now Russia is in no fit state to be a threat to Europe for the next 10 years."

Despite ongoing conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas strife and escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Air Vice-Marshal Bell maintains that the risk of a Third World War remains low.

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He stated, "We absolutely are not on the verge of World War III. The war in Gaza will be over. It's evident that nobody wants to see that escalate...The war between Russia and Ukraine will end."

However, not all experts share this optimism. Professor Anthony Glees, from the University of Buckingham's Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS), cautioned in the wake of Israel's recent actions against Iran, "Both sides are currently sticking their fingers in their ears and saying 'la la la'. Neither wants to hear that they are putting themselves and us in mortal danger with their lethal game of chicken,” the Daily Star reported.