Ukraine President Zelenskyy warns of dire consequences if his country falls: WWIII 'may have already started'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that World War III may have already started and that “civilization is at stake” during an American TV interview hours after addressing Congress Wednesday.

Image grab from footage released by Ukraine Armed Forces on Thursday March 9, 2022 allegedly shows aftermath of Russia army bombardment on a children hospital in Mariupol, southeastern Ukraine, causing enormous destructions. The Ukraine Armed Forces does not indicate casualties of the strikes. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky confirms the strike of the maternity hospital in Mariupol, saying in his online post (EYEPRESS via Reuters Connect) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., introduces Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to speak to the U.S. Congress by video at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool) People look at a burning apartment building in a yard after shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine, Sunday, March 13, 2022.  (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka))

Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine on Feb. 24 – launching what analysts initially predicted would be a quick war to oust Zelenskyy’s government and replace it with Kremlin-friendly puppets.