Former Serbian leader Aleksander Vucic has warned that Vladimir Putin is not bluffing about using nuclear weapons, and that a third global conflict is now an inescapable reality. Speaking to local media, Vucic painted a bleak picture of a continent moving rapidly towards all-out war, pointing to the surge in European defence spending as a clear indicator that World War 3 is inevitable.
European rearmament signals conflict
Vucic argued that the intense military build-up across Europe is not merely precautionary, challenging observers to recognise the reality of the current geopolitical trajectory. He remarked that he is "neither stupid nor blind", suggesting that those who ignore Europe's rapid armament are wilfully turning a blind eye to the looming threat, and added: "It will be a miracle if it doesn't begin."
He said: "If you cannot see how Europe is arming itself, then you are choosing to ignore it. But why is it arming itself? For what purpose? It is like a play by Chekhov: if a gun is hanging on the wall in the first act, it will be fired in the third."
Underestimating Putin is a 'grave error'
Addressing the escalating rhetoric and military posturing from the Kremlin, Vucic stressed that Western nations are making a grave and historic error by continually underestimating the Russian leader. He warned that if the security of Moscow and its armed forces is fundamentally threatened, and Putin feels he is left without other viable options, he will not hesitate to deploy his nuclear arsenal.
According to Vucic, dismissing Putin's nuclear posture as mere brinkmanship is a highly dangerous miscalculation. He noted that out of ten steps towards complete global disaster, the world has already crossed the ninth step, implying that the final move would trigger a devastating nuclear exchange.
Defence contractors' profits soar
Highlighting the rapid remilitarisation of European nations, including the Nordic countries, Vucic noted that governments are strengthening their armed forces in response to the perceived threat from Moscow. He pointed to the profits of defence contractors, specifically citing German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, whose profits have reportedly soared seventeen-fold due to surging demand for modern military hardware.
Vucic argued that the immense accumulation of firepower and military resources across Europe cannot remain purely defensive forever, expressing concern that this stockpiled military power will eventually be unleashed in a devastating global conflict.
