Evgeny Afineevsky: «I do consider this WW3 in the beginning»

In a new episode of «Ukraine Calling» renowned filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky, celebrated for his Academy Award-nominated work and Emmy nominations, emphasizes the pivotal role Ukraine plays in shaping the fate of the world.

Afineevsky contends that the war in Ukraine began in 2014 for its people, but the world, unfortunately, only recognized it in 2022. He sees it as a critical responsibility to remind the global community of this timeline, arguing that the eight years of negligence allowed Russia to escalate the conflict into a broader war. He considers the situation in Ukraine as part of World War Three and emphasizes the need for collective action to prevent further escalation.

«I, as a citizen of the world, and I consider myself a citizen of the world because I travel a lot, and I have been to Syria, to many places, I do consider this WW3 in the beginning», — Afineevsky states.

His commitment to raising awareness stems from the belief that failing to acknowledge the ongoing conflict could have catastrophic consequences for the entire world. He points out that the United States, along with Great Britain and Russia, signed the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, making it the West’s responsibility to protect Ukraine.

Afineevsky delves into the evolving nature of warfare, particularly highlighting the role of media and technology. He expresses concern about the sophisticated weaponry of the 21st century, where cameras have become powerful tools, turning information into a potent weapon. He argues that propaganda now traverses borders effortlessly, citing the importance of recognizing this in the context of the war in Ukraine. The director emphasizes the need for global vigilance and fact-checking in an era where misinformation can spread rapidly.

Afineevsky’s latest project, «Freedom on Fire», serves as a companion piece to his previous documentary, «Winter on Fire.» The film, updated three times, chronicles the events of the last two years in Ukraine, offering a comprehensive view of the conflict’s evolution. The director explains that the movie aims to bridge the information gap for the global audience, providing insight into the developments that might have been overlooked.

«We need to start to build in our minds that this is WW3, not just a local conflict, the war that is impacting on the entire world», — Afineevsky asserts.

He stresses the importance of education and engaging the world, drawing parallels to the successful mobilization seen during the Maidan protests. Afineevsky believes that involving everyone in the cause is essential to turning the tide and ultimately prevailing in the current global situation.

In conclusion, Afineevsky’s perspective, rooted in his extensive documentary work and global experiences, serves as a call to action for the international community to recognize the gravity of the situation in Ukraine and actively participate in preventing the further escalation of a global war.

You can listen to the full podcast with Evgeny Afineevsky here