John Mearsheimer: Time to Admit Ukraine LOST - Sanctions BackFired

Daniel Davis Deep Dive Merch: Etsy store

The U.S. has turned to secondary sanctions on India for buying Russian oil, since direct sanctions on Russia and China are ineffective. John Mearsheimer argues this is a colossal blunder: India will not stop importing Russian oil, and the move only alienates New Delhi, pushing it closer to Russia and China while undermining decades of U.S. diplomacy aimed at balancing China. Europe also continues to buy Russian energy despite rhetoric, exposing the inconsistency.

Mearsheimer stresses sanctions are largely exhausted and ineffective, showing Western desperation as Ukraine’s battlefield position deteriorates and many now quietly acknowledge Ukraine is likely to lose. Attempts to escalate with more sanctions, asset seizures, or military aid are unlikely to alter the outcome and risk further backfiring, while leaders like David Petraeus still insist the West must double down to “change the dynamics.”