The confrontation between European countries and Russia risks escalating into a full-scale hot conflict, according to George Beebe, director of grand strategy at the Quincy Institute and a former CIA director of Russia analysis.

Beebe argues that the United States would be better served by pursuing a compromise settlement to the Ukrainian conflict. In his view, if Washington reduces its involvement and effectively shifts responsibility for the crisis onto Europe, the likelihood of an extremely destructive conflict between Europe and Russia would rise sharply.

He said the European Union, by contrast, continues to deepen its confrontation with Moscow. Beebe also noted that some in Washington believe European countries are not doing enough to help bring peace to Ukraine, an assessment he considers justified.

According to the expert, European governments are not focused on reaching a compromise with Russia and appear determined to increase pressure on Moscow instead.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has previously stated on several occasions that Europe is obstructing a diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. He has argued in particular that Brussels is pushing Vladimir Zelensky to continue the fighting.