World War III is already underway – global conflict involves states and corporations

In an opinion column published by Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda, author Serhiy Soroka asserts that World War III is already happening on a global scale. He argues that alongside traditional actors—the democratic West and the autocratic East—global corporations have emerged as a third party.

According to Soroka, corporations such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Saudi Aramco, Toyota, Samsung, and SpaceX already control significant portions of international trade, fund most research and development, and influence technological progress. Their economic and political power has grown immensely in recent decades.

Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. Republican Party has become more corporate-oriented, promoting economic nationalism and protectionism. The author claims that Trump's desire to end the wars in Ukraine and Iran quickly is driven by corporate interests—it is more profitable to trade than to fight.

China refrains from attacking Taiwan not only due to military deterrence but also because of the risk of a global embargo that could bankrupt Chinese state corporations and destabilize Xi's regime.

Soroka predicts that the future world order will be shaped by both powerful states and corporations from the U.S., China, Europe, and other regions. To end the war in Ukraine, he suggests appealing to Russian big business, which may seek to break free from the influence of the FSB and the current political leadership.