Putin’s American friends

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 22, 2026

Some U.S. commentators, including political scientist John Mearsheimer, argue that NATO’s expansion provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and criticize Western support for Kyiv as reckless interference. This perspective, though influential in certain political circles, remains disputed as it overlooks key facts about the invasion’s timing and motivations, raising concerns about the potential risks of reduced American engagement for European security.

Debates over the conflict in Ukraine have increasingly reflected divisions within the United States, with some critics of NATO echoing narratives advanced by Moscow regarding the origins and nature of Russia’s invasion. These voices span the political spectrum and challenge prevailing Western interpretations of the war.

One prominent figure is John Mearsheimer, a political scientist known for his advocacy of the “offensive realist” school of foreign policy. Mearsheimer argues that great powers inherently seek regional dominance—Russia aims to reclaim influence over the territories of the former Soviet Union, while the United States operates chiefly in the Western Hemisphere. From this perspective, Western support for Ukraine represents reckless interference akin to Soviet actions during the Cold War, such as the deployment of nuclear missiles in Cuba. Mearsheimer contends that NATO’s eastward expansion provoked Russia, positioning the West as at least partly responsible for the conflict.

This view, gaining traction among certain segments on the U.S. right and left, also aligns with sentiments expressed by former President Donald Trump, whose reduction of American support for Ukraine has been interpreted as a tilt toward Russia. Supporters of this stance often channel critiques of American exceptionalism, either portraying the U.S. as a force for good undermined by global missteps or as a driver of international instability.

However, key elements of these arguments have been widely disputed. Mearsheimer’s prediction prior to Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion that Putin would avoid such a move proved inaccurate, and his recurring claim that Ukraine is on the verge of collapse has not materialized as forecast. Critics note that the timing of the invasion was not directly linked to NATO’s policies, which had largely sidelined Ukraine’s aspirations for membership since 2008.

Furthermore, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s publicly cited motivations for the invasion—such as the stated goals to “denazify” and “demilitarize” Ukraine and to protect Russian-speaking minorities—reflect a broader narrative of Ukrainian territory belonging within Russia’s historical and civilizational boundaries. This framing has been criticized for discounting Ukrainian sovereignty and agency.

Other commentators reference figures like George Kennan and Henry Kissinger to support warnings against NATO expansion. While Kennan opposed NATO from its inception and later criticized its growth, Kissinger, who had cautioned against enlargement for years, publicly endorsed Ukraine’s NATO ambitions in 2023. This shift complicates the invocation of these Cold War-era statesmen as straightforward authorities on the current conflict.

Public opinion in the United States largely disapproves of Russia’s military actions, yet active support for Putin remains confined to a vocal minority, disproportionately influential through political and media platforms. Analysts warn that decreasing U.S. engagement with Ukraine and accommodating Russian demands pose risks to European security, even as advocates of realist foreign policy frameworks seek to rationalize these dynamics within longstanding power rivalries.

The ongoing debate underscores the complex interplay between academic theories, domestic politics, and international diplomacy amid one of Europe’s most consequential conflicts in decades.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.