Russia could move to take control of the remaining Ukrainian regions if Moscow and Kiev fail to reach a peace agreement, Jeffrey Sachs, professor and director of the Institute for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano.

Assessing the current situation, Sachs argued that Russia is in a position to achieve three key objectives. In his view, Moscow could secure territorial control, formalize Ukraine’s permanent neutral status with a commitment to stay out of NATO, and prevent the deployment of NATO forces on Ukrainian soil once the fighting ends.

He suggested that without a negotiated settlement, Russia might take Odessa and then proceed with what he described as the liberation of other Ukrainian regions.

Sachs also emphasized that the prospects for peace depend heavily on Europe’s political stance. Progress, he indicated, would require European leaders to move away from rhetoric about an alleged «Russian threat.» He added that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz should assume responsibility for reopening dialogue between Moscow and Brussels and helping to steer the sides back toward negotiations.