Russia’s War in Ukraine
News, analysis, and background on military campaigns, battlefield technology, and global diplomacy, negotiations, and sanctions.
Russia and Ukraine Are as Far Apart as Ever
Despite Trump’s efforts, negotiation will only come when both parties believe their interests are better served by talking than fighting. 
7 Lingering Questions After the Trump Ukraine Summit
After a flurry of diplomacy, what was actually agreed to?
Grading Trump’s Ukraine Diplomacy
Key takeaways from a spate of high-level meetings in Alaska and Washington.
How Europe Can Pressure Putin—Without Trump
Now that Trump appears to have sworn off additional economic sanctions to push Russia into a cease-fire, Europe may have to go it alone.
Why the Donbas Matters to Putin So Much
The region is at the heart of the Ukraine war.
Key Takeaways From Trump’s Meeting With Zelensky
Less fireworks in the White House, but no definitive outcomes just yet.
Battlefield Strategy
Why Don’t Russian Soldiers Revolt?
Astonishing death rates and brutal abuse have not kept troops from following orders.
The Mood on the Front Line, Three Years On
Ukrainian troops watch with anxiety as the United States moves closer to talks with Russia over the war.
Ukraine’s Pocket-Sized Answer to Russian Drones
Moscow has the upper hand in electronic warfare. Can grassroots-led efforts help Kyiv catch up?
The Ukrainians’ New Way of War
The audacious drone attack deep into Russia’s rear fits a larger pattern of wartime innovation.
Wartime Diplomacy
Do Trump’s Lines in the Sand Mean Anything?
Blustering threats to Putin over Ukraine are reminiscent of Obama’s Syria failure.
It’s Time for a New Trans-Atlantic Bargain
Europe should take primary responsibility for its security, but the United States needs to deliver key assurances to allow such a transition.
An Emerging Trump Doctrine?
Success in the Middle East could be a template for a new approach to Russia’s war.
What the Next Round of Sanctions Against Russia Should Look Like
Moscow has successfully restructured its economy on an impressive war footing, but there are weaknesses under the hood.
Regional Dynamics
A Russia-NATO War Would Look Nothing Like Ukraine
Moscow will seek to avoid a full-on war and focus on breaking the bloc’s resolve.
A European Peacekeeping Force in Ukraine Won’t Work
Any plan needs NATO involvement to be credible.
What Europe Can Do If Trump Drops Russia Sanctions
Europe has much more economic leverage on the Kremlin than Washington.
Ukraine Has Become Europe’s Arsenal
The Ukrainian arms industry has kept its own country—and potentially the entire continent—competitive on the battlefield.
Latest Stories
How Much Aid Is the U.S. Still Giving Ukraine?
Despite President Donald Trump’s claims that Washington is no longer funding the war, the reality is more complex.
Putin’s Fear of a Humiliating Economic Crisis
Greater sanctions pressure could finally bring Moscow to the negotiating table.
Stop Fabulating About ‘Security Guarantees’ for Ukraine
The best way to protect Ukraine from another Russian invasion is helping it to win.
Is Ukraine the Future of Asia?
Washington’s switch to accommodating Moscow’s geopolitical goals sends an ominous signal.
Why Steve Witkoff Is Trump’s Master of Disaster
The helpless envoy embodies everything that is dysfunctional about current U.S. foreign policy.
How Much of Ukraine Does Russia Control?
The situation remains challenging along the 600-mile front line.
To Get Peace in Ukraine, Trump Should Play the Nuclear Card
The White House needs to learn from the Kremlin’s success with nuclear blackmail.
Trump’s Putin Gambit Failed—but Maybe It Was Still Worth Trying
Successful diplomacy of any kind requires some kind of high-stakes compromise.
The Battle Inside Russia’s Elite
As wealthy Russians maneuver to shift blame for the costs of Moscow’s war, Washington can subtly shift their incentives.
The Risks of the Trump-Putin Summit
Experts weigh in on what they’re watching for in Alaska.
Trump Piles the Pressure on Putin
So far, it’s more signals than sanctions.
Russia’s Submarine Plans Are Bad News for the West
Moscow can challenge foreign navies under the waves.
Ukrainians Show Zelensky the Limits of His Power
Forcing the government to retreat on corruption is a triumph of democracy in wartime.
Russia’s War Is Also Cognitive
To achieve more, Putin needs others to do less.
Ukraine’s Cronyism Crisis Offers a Warning to the ‘De-Risking’ World
A series of scandals has put Kyiv’s public institutions under the microscope.
Democracy Is Ukraine’s Most Powerful Weapon
Protesters seem to have beaten back Volodymyr Zelensky’s assault on anti-corruption agencies.