Ukraine-Russia war demonstrates no risk for a World War III

HELPING UKRAINE: Seniors Ella Davis, Molly Grimes, Presley Miles, and Madison Muhle host a bake sale at the MB pier. The proceeds were sent to Ukraine as part of the iCARE Club fundraiser. Photo by Marley Brennan/La Vista

By Isabella Montenegro and Marley Brennan

Opinion Editor and Staff Writer

In the beginning of February, Russia officially invaded Ukraine. The crisis has affected the U.S. in many ways, including heightened inflation, a rise in food and gas prices, and disturbed commodity and stock markets. Although there is conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the severity will not lead to World War III because there are other trade markets besides Russia that Europe and the United States have access to and the economic uncertainty will not be a lasting effect.

The two countries that used to be a part of the Soviet Union, Russia and Ukraine, are at war. Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, is now attempting to overthrow Ukraine. As Ukraine drew nearer toward becoming a part of the European Union, and possibly NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), Putin took more action. Putin claims that NATO is altering Russia’s “historic future as a nation.” He publicly disclosed that Russia could not feel safe nor further develop its nation without intervening with Ukraine and its government. Putin claims his goal is to free Ukraine from the Nazis who are living there, though Vologymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, is Jewish himself. Because Ukraine is not part of NATO, it has been fighting to hold its own without the alliances of other countries.

The rise in gas prices is due to the ongoing dispute between the two countries, according to the New York Times. While this is true, the United States is the largest oil producer, according to worldometer.info. Therefore, the United States’ reliance on Russian oil will not have lasting effects on the gas prices for the citizens of the United States. In addition, Russia is not the only distributor of oil; others include Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and China, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, thus further exemplifying that the gas price surge will not lead to a larger conflict as countries do not solely rely on Russia’s exports.

The crisis in Ukraine, according to both the New York Times and CBS News, will cause mass economic uncertainty. Commodity markets, or a marketplace for buying, selling, and trading raw materials or finished goods, will be unsettled. According to the New York Times, the U.S. imports little from Russia, and the conflict could have an effect on the markets in Europe and the U.S., but it would be temporary. While the disrupted commodity markets will cause a rise in inflation, it is stated that this will not be a lasting effect to further the worry of a world war, according to the New York Times.

In contrast, concerns that WWIII is possible are prevalent. According to NorthWest.edu, Russia is approaching a NATO country with a high risk of crossing into its territory. This would cause mobilization of alliances under NATO to get involved, spurring a world war. While this is true, Russia would have to launch a direct attack for the United States and Europe to get involved, according to MiamiHerald.com.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has produced numerous negative effects that are proving not to be permanent. The rise is both gas prices and economic uncertainty can recover. The risk of World War III is unlikely to occur.