'World War III May Have Started', Says President Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Facebook)

JAKARTA - Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked a full global reaction. For President Volodymyr Zelensky, it is possible that World War III has actually started.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in an exclusive interview with NBC News, Thursday, March 17. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this war puts the whole civilization at stake.

"No one knows if it might have already started. And what are the chances of this war if Ukraine will fall, if Ukraine will fall? It's very difficult to say," said President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"And we have seen this 80 years ago, when the second World War began ... no one could predict when a full-scale war would start," he continued.

Volodymyr Zelensky explicitly said that Russia could take over cities in Ukraine. Including Kyiv which became the last stronghold. But Russia could not take away Ukraine's dignity and love for their country.

“This is what our people clearly show,” Zelensky said.

Previously, President Zelenskyy had already signed a law establishing the legal framework for countries to operate regulated crypto markets.

In an announcement on Wednesday, March 16, Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation said Zelenskyy signed a law named "On Virtual Assets," which was first adopted by the country's legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, in February.

Cryptocurrency exchanges and companies dealing with digital assets will be required to register with the government to operate legally in Ukraine, and banks will be allowed to open accounts for crypto companies.

The law gives the Ukrainian National Stock and Securities Market Commission the power to determine state policies on digital assets, issue licenses to businesses dealing with cryptocurrencies and act as financial watchdogs.

The government agency added that Ukraine's Ministry of Finance is also working to amend the country's tax and civil code to accommodate the legal framework for digital assets.

"The signing of this law by the president is another important step to bring the crypto sector out of the shadows and launch a legal market for virtual assets in Ukraine," the Ministry of Digital Transformation said.