Exclusive: Poll before 80th anniversary of VE Day finds tensions with Russia seen as most probable cause

Poll before 80th anniversary of VE Day finds tensions with Russia seen as most probable cause

80 years after the second world war, polling shows many Americans and western Europeans believe an even more devastating third global conflict could break out within a decade, with tensions with Russia seen as the most probable cause.

As Europe prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the YouGov polling also showed large majorities felt that events during and before the second world war were relevant today and must continue to be taught to younger generations.

Between 41% and 55% of respondents in the five European countries polled: Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, said they thought another world war was very or fairly likely within the next five to 10 years, a view shared by 45% of Americans.

Majorities of 68% to 76% said they expected any new conflict would involve nuclear weapons, and between 57% and 73% also said a third world war would lead to greater loss of life than in 1939-1945. Many (25% to 44%) believed it would kill most people in the world.

  • twice_hatch@midwest.socialEnglish
    2·
    17 hours ago

    If it’s not Russia it’s America. I need to get out before my countrymen get me killed for their stupidity

  • SabinStargem@lemmy.todayEnglish
    41·
    1 day ago

    The EU should just declare war on Russia, and nip it in the bud before an formal alliance between the Fascist States of America and Russia can be established. When an inevitable war with America comes, Europe shouldn’t have a dagger pointed at their back.

    • GrosPapatouf@lemmy.world
      3·
      17 hours ago

      Much too late for that. If EU declare war to Russia now, trump would probably support Russia and invade Europe. Should have done it as soon as Putin attacked Kiev.

  • wjrii@lemmy.worldEnglish
    29·
    2 days ago

    Literally the one undeniable success of the post-WW2 order was the lack of a global-scale hot war. Everything else is tainted by smaller scale conflicts and self-interest and economic inequality and picking winners and losers in a callous and awful way. But, you could always say it’s been 60, 70, and then 80 years with no world war 3. We didn’t nuke ourselves. We didn’t devastate our species’ potential to make the world better for more people. I guess on net there was even progress, statistically speaking, though that’s small comfort to those it bypassed and the benefits sure as shit were not distributed equitably.

    That one thing, that lowest of bars – no global shooting war – is now at risk because a handful of men who are stupid or evil or both, surrounded by people orbiting around them on those axes of stupidity and evilness, have decided that too much is not enough.

        • P00ptart@lemmy.world
          2·
          1 day ago

          Honestly, I think that’s unlikely. They tend to keep nukes out of the equation, and keep it to themselves. And honestly as far as nuclear armed skirmishes go, India’s kept pretty well within historical boundaries. I.e. they’re in constant skirmishes with both Pakistan and China, and sometimes Russia. The fact that that region has remained as stable as it has is a bit of a testament to peace that we should all agree is good, this latest bit notwithstanding. Hopefully it can remain a smallish issue globally, and they resolve it soon, especially because global warming threatens them both.

  • Neuromorph@lemm.ee
    55·
    1 day ago

    How many countries have sent troops to fight in Ukraine? WW3 had already started. No one has named it yet.

    Ask yourself why are north Korean Troops fighting alongside Russians to annex Ukranian land?

    • nuko147@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      1 day ago

      Not this time. But their officials don’t seem to want to avoid it either.