John Mearsheimer: DEADLY ATTACKS are RUSSIA's ANSWER to Sloppy Peace Strategies

Daniel Davis Deep Dive Merch: Etsy store

Despite ongoing diplomatic talk of peace in the Russia–Ukraine war, the fighting continues, with Russia launching fresh airstrikes on Kyiv and other cities. Western leaders and Zelensky condemn the attacks as proof Russia doesn’t want peace, but John Mearsheimer argues this is consistent with Russia’s stated goal of fighting until its objectives are met, not a policy shift. He stresses that much of the debate is a propaganda war, where Ukraine and the West portray Russia as the sole obstacle to peace, while the battlefield reality shows Ukraine in worsening military trouble.

The conversation also highlights the uncertainty around Russian targeting: some strikes may be collateral damage, misfires, or aimed at military assets hidden in civilian areas, though evidence is unclear. Russia has increased the sophistication and volume of drone and missile attacks, while Ukraine’s claims of shooting down nearly all incoming strikes and reporting far higher Russian than Ukrainian casualties strain credibility, suggesting propaganda.

On diplomacy, European leaders propose peacekeepers and security guarantees in Ukraine, but Mearsheimer contends Russia would never accept NATO troops on Ukrainian soil in any peace deal. If NATO troops did enter under a ceasefire, Russia would target them, risking direct conflict.