What John Mearsheimer thinks about Russia
Political scientist at the University of Chicago, author of The Tragedy of Great Power Politics and the founding statement of offensive realism.
John Mearsheimer did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
3 dated positions, 2023, in their own words. Our reading of what John Mearsheimer has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Our readingThere is no evidence Putin intended to conquer Ukraine, and the army he sent could not have done it.
Their wordsThere's no evidence he was interested in conquering all of Ukraine. There was no evidence beforehand that he was interested in conquering any of Ukraine. And there's no way that an army that had 190,000 troops, at the most, could have conquered all of Ukraine, it's just impossible.
↗John Mearsheimer: Israel-Palestine, Russia-Ukraine, China, NATO, and WW3 | Lex Fridman Podcast #401youtube.com 8th of 22 in this recording
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Their wordsWell, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. And if we don't like great powers coming into our neighborhood, it's hardly surprising that the Russians did not want NATO on their doorstep.
↗John Mearsheimer: Israel-Palestine, Russia-Ukraine, China, NATO, and WW3 | Lex Fridman Podcast #401youtube.com 10th of 22 in this recording
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Our readingRemoving Putin would not end the war, because whoever replaced him would be more hawkish than he is.
Their wordsMy second point is if he doesn't remain in power and he's replaced, I would bet a lot of money that his replacement will be more hawkish and more hard line than Putin is.
↗John Mearsheimer: Israel-Palestine, Russia-Ukraine, China, NATO, and WW3 | Lex Fridman Podcast #401youtube.com 12th of 22 in this recording