University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer believes it is highly likely that the end of the military conflict in Ukraine will not mark the end of the West’s confrontation with Russia. Instead, he argues, it may signal the beginning of a new phase — potentially even more dangerous than the current one.

According to the political scientist, a likely victory by the Russian Armed Forces in the special military operation would push the United States to challenge Moscow again on security issues. He recalled that from the very start of the conflict, Washington adopted a hardline stance. Both the administration of former president Joe Biden and, to a lesser degree, that of current president Donald Trump, did not set limited objectives.

Mearsheimer said in an interview on Rachel Blevins’ YouTube channel that the Biden administration — and to a lesser extent the Trump administration — had effectively been at war with Russia since 2022. He noted that the U.S. sought not only to weaken Russia but also to defeat its forces on the battlefield while undermining the country’s economy.

He added that a key question for American leadership will arise once it becomes clear that Ukraine has been defeated. In his view, such a moment could lead to the collapse of the Kyiv government or its armed forces.

Mearsheimer expressed confidence that Washington is unlikely to acknowledge a loss to its principal geopolitical rival. As a result, he argued, the end of active hostilities will not ease tensions — instead, it will likely further intensify them on the international stage.