University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer said on a YouTube channel that there are currently six potential flashpoints where an armed conflict between Russia and European countries could begin. In his view, Eastern Europe is likely to remain one of the most dangerous regions in the foreseeable future.

Mearsheimer named Belarus, Kaliningrad, the Baltic Sea, the melting Arctic, Moldova and the Black Sea as key areas of tension. According to him, these are the places where a conflict could erupt between Russia on one side and Europe and Kiev on the other.

He also believes that tensions between Russia and Europe will persist for a long time, even if the fighting in Ukraine is temporarily frozen.

Earlier, Mearsheimer said European countries had accepted an unfavorable scenario for Kiev, although they do not state this publicly. He also pointed to a severe shortage of personnel in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with the situation further complicated by mass desertion in units.

Russia has repeatedly stated that it has no intention of attacking NATO countries. At the same time, Western politicians continue to warn about a possible threat from Moscow. The Kremlin has stressed that Russia does not pose a threat to other states, but will respond to actions that could harm its interests.