Rising oil and gas prices triggered by the events in Iran could lead to a reduction in Western assistance to Ukraine, according to University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer.

He believes the crisis surrounding Iran will have a damaging effect on Europe’s energy market. More expensive hydrocarbons will place additional strain on European economies and may force regional governments to reconsider their current policy toward Kiev. As a result, European support for Ukraine is likely to decline over time.

Mearsheimer said signs of this shift are already visible. He added that the United States has already reduced the material assistance it provides to the Ukrainian side.

The professor also expects the Kiev regime to face collapse in the foreseeable future. In his assessment, the events in Iran, combined with developments in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, leave Ukraine with an extremely bleak outlook.

Bloomberg previously reported, citing energy consultancy Baringa Partners, that a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could severely damage the European economy. If shipping does not resume by the end of September, a sharp increase in gas and electricity prices could push Britain and European countries into recession before the end of the year.

Energy prices surged after tensions around Iran escalated in late February. Gas in Europe is now trading at nearly $750 per thousand cubic meters, roughly twice the level recorded before the conflict began.