US Professor: Russia Is Trying to Buy Time, Not Seek Peace

Russia is attempting to prolong the conflict rather than pursue genuine peace negotiations with Ukraine, according to Roman Sheremeta, head of the Economics Department at Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management. Speaking on the sidelines of the "Riga StratCom Dialogue 2026" conference, Sheremeta expressed skepticism about claims that Russia is nearing a point where it desires peace talks.

Sheremeta acknowledged positive signs, such as Russia's inability to achieve significant gains on the battlefield, its struggling economy, and Ukraine's impact on Russian oil production. However, he identified the West's reaction as the crucial deterrent factor, which he believes is currently lacking. Sheremeta noted that in the past, escalations by Russia were met with increased Western aid to Ukraine. This time, despite the "hottest stage of the war" with frequent missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilian casualties, there is no comparable surge in Western support. He specifically highlighted the halt in US aid as a contributing factor to Russia's perception of Western weakness.

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Seeing this, Russia really sees Western weakness, so it is simply trying to buy time.

"Seeing this, Russia really sees Western weakness, so it is simply trying to buy time," Sheremeta told the news agency LETA. He questioned the argument that time is not on Russia's side, suggesting it's also not on Ukraine's. Observing empty streets in Ukraine due to mobilization, people hiding, or emigration, Sheremeta is convinced that Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin believe they possess more resources to sustain the conflict longer than Ukraine and, crucially, the West.

Given these circumstances, Sheremeta does not anticipate meaningful peace negotiations in the near future. He stressed the need for a narrative shift, particularly within the US and major European powers like France, Germany, and Italy, which has not yet occurred. Sheremeta also voiced serious concern about the potential for the US to withdraw from NATO, a worry stemming from his long-term research into Donald Trump's policies. Trump's "America First" rhetoric since his 2016 election suggests a disinterest in European affairs and conflicts, distinguishing them from wars initiated by the US itself, such as those in Iran or Venezuela.

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To achieve this, we would have to change the narrative – primarily the US, and frankly, also many of the most powerful European countries, including France, Germany, and Italy. So far, this has not happened.