President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which they discussed the Ukraine war. Putin reportedly warned Trump of a coming response to a recent Ukrainian attack on Russia’s strategic bomber force. International relations scholar John Mearsheimer reacted strongly, saying the situation is worsening on multiple fronts: Gaza, Iran, Ukraine, and East Asia. He argues the U.S. has lost control over allies and adversaries alike, and criticizes Trump for failing to resolve major global issues he once promised to fix.

Mearsheimer warns that the Ukraine conflict, especially recent Ukrainian (and potentially U.S.-supported) strikes on Russia’s nuclear infrastructure, risks dangerous escalation. He condemns the use of the term "terrorism" to describe Ukraine’s military actions, but stresses that Russia may see these as justification for serious retaliation. Given the rising desperation and anger in Moscow, he expresses growing concern that the war could eventually trigger Russian use of nuclear weapons, particularly if they feel cornered or unable to win conventionally. The overall tone is one of alarm about America's strategic direction and growing global instability.

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