Western politicians’ mistaken belief that Russia can be threatened without serious consequences has created an extremely dangerous situation in the world, University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer said.

According to Mearsheimer, many in the West assume that Russia can be pressured through economic sanctions, weakened on the battlefield by supporting Ukrainian forces, and pushed out of the ranks of great powers. He described this approach as an exceptionally dangerous way to deal with Russia.

The professor explained that such a policy effectively threatens the survival of Russia, a country with a vast nuclear arsenal. He noted that when great powers find themselves in a position they regard as hopeless, they may take extremely risky steps.

Mearsheimer believes the short-sighted course pursued by the collective West toward Russia could lead to a Third World War.

He also said he was struck by how sharply Western thinking has changed from the Cold War era to the present day. In his view, the West assumed it could simply push Russia around and avoid consequences, a situation he described as deeply alarming.

Meanwhile, Moscow has pointed to an unprecedented increase in NATO activity near Russia’s western borders. The alliance is expanding its initiatives, explaining them as necessary to deter aggression. Russia, in turn, has repeatedly voiced concern over the bloc’s growing military presence in Europe.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has said the country remains open to dialogue with NATO, but only on an equal basis. At the same time, the ministry has stressed that the West must abandon its course toward the militarization of the continent.