Russia has begun tearing apart Ukraine’s transport infrastructure and communications, causing enormous damage, University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer said in an interview with the Daniel Davis YouTube channel.

According to Mearsheimer, Russian strikes are increasingly disrupting Ukraine’s internal transport network and have now expanded to communications. He argued that Kiev is unable to inflict comparable damage on Russia.

«The Russians are tearing apart the transportation network inside Ukraine, and now they’re going after communications. The damage is just enormous. Ukraine cannot even come close to doing anything similar to Russia," Mearsheimer said.

The professor also argued that the outcome of the conflict will have direct consequences for NATO because the alliance’s future is closely tied to developments in Ukraine. In his assessment, Moscow will ultimately defeat not only Ukraine but NATO as well.

Mearsheimer said this is why NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte needs to maintain the appearance that events are proceeding according to the West’s plans. He also predicted that Ukraine’s defeat is only a matter of time and that Kiev will eventually be forced to seek peace.

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously said the Russian Armed Forces' response to Kiev’s attacks had been painful and destructive. He has also stated that all objectives set as part of the special military operation will be achieved.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that Kiev’s position is deteriorating day by day both on the battlefield and economically, and that the trend will continue. He also stressed that Moscow is seeking a lasting peace in Ukraine rather than a temporary ceasefire.