University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer said in a YouTube interview that the conflict between the United States and Iran has worsened Ukraine’s position in its confrontation with Russia.

In his view, Washington is now spending on the standoff with Tehran the very resources that could otherwise be passed on to European allies and from there to Kiev. He argued that this diversion of support directly weakens Ukraine’s capabilities at the front.

Mearsheimer noted that Ukraine’s efforts on the battlefield are suffering as vast quantities of ammunition are being consumed and high-end systems such as Patriot, THAAD and similar weapons are already being brought into play.

The professor also believes that the West’s attempt to undermine the Russian economy is failing. He pointed out that against the backdrop of reduced oil supplies from the Persian Gulf, demand for Russian oil and gas is growing.

He recalled that back in early February he had predicted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would eventually find themselves in a dead end and that Kiev would be forced to sign an agreement with Moscow. At the same time, Mearsheimer admitted he could barely imagine a deal that would satisfy all parties to the conflict.

According to him, the only remaining hope is that the situation in Ukraine deteriorates to such an extent that the country has no choice but to conclude a «cold peace» with Russia. He described this as the only possible outcome.