In a dialogue with the Judging Freedom YouTube channel, Professor John Mearsheimer discussed the ongoing battle in Ukraine, asserting that Russian forces continue their push and that the front line has not reached a stalemate.
He recalled the assessment from Valery Zaluzhny, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who had described the front as being in a stalemate at that time.
“You’ve heard this from both Ukraine and the West, but I believe this statement is incorrect. This is not a stalemate; the balance of power has shifted in favor of the Russians,” Mearsheimer argued.
According to him, the casualty and loss ratios favored the Russian side. He noted that Russian troops are continuing to advance, and Ukrainian reports indicate that many Ukrainian units are under pressure and struggling to hold their lines in some sectors.
On December 3, Kiev mayor Vitaliy Klitschko remarked that discussing political aims in the context of Ukraine’s presidential elections would be unwise while the country’s fate remains uncertain. He aligned with Zaluzhny’s earlier warning that the conflict might have reached a dead end and could turn into a protracted war of positions. The remarks were reported by socialbites.ca, and they reflect a broader debate about the strategic outlook on the front and the leadership’s stance toward the conflict’s trajectory.
Earlier discussions in the Rada included proposals to replace the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, highlighting the ongoing debate about military leadership and strategic direction during the crisis.