WATCH: ‘Civilisation won’t survive’ Putin’s World War III and climate change – George Soros

Businessman and philanthropist George Soros said climate change and President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine could signal the beginning of “a third world war.”

Speaking at the 2022 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Soros said in order to save humanity, Putin must be dealt with “as soon as possible”.

Soros warns of humanity’s end

Beginning of World War III

The 91-year-old Soros, 91 said the war had changed the world irrevocably, adding: “Even when the fighting stops […] the situation will never revert to the status quo.”

“Indeed, the Russian invasion may turn out to be the beginning of World War III, and our civilisation may not survive it.”

He added society had “already fallen far behind and climate change is on the verge of becoming irreversible”.

“That could be the end of our civilisation.”

Climate change and Europe’s energy crisis

He said the possibility of irreversible climate change was “particularly frightening,”, especially in light of the surge in gas and oil prices as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Several European countries are seeking to circumvent the use of Russian energy sources. Moreover, Soros said Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine “has shaken Europe to its core.”

He said even though humans have accepted the reality that we must all die, “we take it for granted that our civilisation will survive.”

ALSO READ: Global food crisis: fears grow that Russia may unleash famine

‘Defeat Putin, save humanity’

To prevent the demise of life as we know it, Soros the “bottom line” is this: “We mobilise all our resources to bring the war to an early end”.

“The best and perhaps only way to preserve our civilisation is to defeat Putin”.

“Repressive regimes are now on the rise and open societies are under siege. Today, China and Russia pose the greatest threat to open society,” he said.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine didn’t come out of the blue. It’s the result of the increasing struggle between two diametrically opposed governance systems: open society and closed society. Watch my remarks from @Davos at 1pm EDT/7pm CEST: https://t.co/PdcK4grLtW pic.twitter.com/YKuNitZcCf

— George Soros (@georgesoros) May 24, 2022