Russia Quotes by John Mearsheimer

If Ukraine becomes a pro-American liberal democracy, and a member of NATO, and a member of the E.U., the Russians will consider…

— John Mearsheimer

In fact, as soon as it declared independence, Ukraine should have been quietly encouraged to fashion its own nuclear deterrent.

— John Mearsheimer

I'm a realist, and I thought from the get-go that NATO expansion was going to lead to one heck of a lot…

— John Mearsheimer

Mr Putin surely knows that the costs of conquering and occupying large amounts of territory in eastern Europe would be prohibitive for…

— John Mearsheimer

Crimea, a casualty of the West's attempt to march NATO and the European Union up to Russia's doorstep, is surely lost for…

— John Mearsheimer

Since Lithuania is a NATO member, the United States would almost certainly come to its defense if Russia attacked the country.

— John Mearsheimer

Russia's invasion of Georgia in August 2008 should have dispelled any remaining doubts about Putin's determination to prevent Georgia and Ukraine from…

— John Mearsheimer

In the eyes of Russian leaders, E.U. expansion is a stalking horse for NATO expansion.

— John Mearsheimer

Since the mid-1990s, Russian leaders have adamantly opposed NATO enlargement, and in recent years, they have made it clear that they would…

— John Mearsheimer

Overall, the best formula for maintaining stability in post-Cold War Europe is for all the great powers - including Germany and Ukraine…

— John Mearsheimer

When vital interests are at stake, countries are invariably willing to suffer great pain to ensure their security. There is no reason…

— John Mearsheimer

Moscow cannot afford to lose in Ukraine, and it will use every means available to avoid defeat. Putin appears confident that Russia…

— John Mearsheimer

When you're a country like Ukraine and you live next door to a great power like Russia, you have to pay careful…

— John Mearsheimer

I believe the Obama administration was asleep at the switch, not paying attention to what NATO and E.U. expansion - and promoting…

— John Mearsheimer

Putin was very clear, as were all his lieutenants, that their great fear was that Ukraine was becoming a Western bulwark on…

— John Mearsheimer

Both NATO and the American alliance structure in Northeast Asia are institutions with deep roots that helped win a spectacular victory in…

— John Mearsheimer

Georgia and Ukraine are not just states in Russia's neighborhood; they are on its doorstep.

— John Mearsheimer

Contrary to the conventional wisdom in the West, Moscow did not invade Ukraine to conquer it and make it part of a…

— John Mearsheimer

The Russians have intensely disliked but tolerated substantial NATO expansion, including the accession of Poland and the Baltic countries. But when NATO…

— John Mearsheimer

NATO expansion, E.U. expansion, and turning Ukraine and Georgia and other countries into liberal democracies were all about creating a giant zone…

— John Mearsheimer

As the Cold War came to a close, Soviet leaders preferred that U.S. forces remain in Europe and NATO stay intact, an…

— John Mearsheimer

Ukrainian nuclear weapons are the only reliable deterrent to Russian aggression. If the U.S. aim is to enhance stability in Europe, the…

— John Mearsheimer