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
The Trouble With Russian Blacklisting
Moscow’s ban on Western academics and researchers makes the world a more dangerous place.
The Russian Army Is Preparing for a Fresh Attack
Many of the problems from the initial draft have been solved.
Biden’s Hostage Diplomacy Was a Historic Mistake
The United States has broken with a long-standing precedent that was established for very good reasons.
Congress Wants to Boot Russia From U.N. Security Council
The Biden administration is also interested in watering down Russia’s influence at the United Nations.
A Russian Dissident Is Sentenced in Moscow
Ilya Yashin’s is the most significant political trial in Russia since Alexey Navalny’s imprisonment in 2021.
U.S. Plans for a Hypothetical War Limit Aid to a Real One
“We’re measuring against a reality that no longer exists,” one congressional aide said.
Don’t Be Afraid of a Russian Collapse
Why is the West so hesitant about a clear Ukrainian victory?
U.S. Rivals Are Facing Unrest. Is It Due to Luck or Skill?
Mass protests create a favorable environment for intelligence agencies—but the CIA should tread carefully in China, Iran, and Russia.
Ukraine Braces for a Brutal Winter Under Russian Bombs
Those who return home find shattered houses, no heat, and the worst yet to come.
Biden Can’t Denounce Russia’s Annexations and Ignore Israel’s
From the Baltic Republics to Crimea, Washington has opposed forcible annexation—and the Golan Heights should be no exception.
It’s No Crime to Be a Russian Soldier in Ukraine
Moscow’s war is unjust, but there’s no moral obligation for soldiers to refuse to fight.
‘General Frost’ Will Be Fighting for Both Sides This Time
Winter may slow down Ukraine’s advances, but Kyiv is better prepared than Russia’s ragtag forces.
Sanctions on Russia Are Working. Here’s Why.
The Kremlin’s ability to wage war is already constrained, but the worst is yet to come.
The Ukrainian Village That Sacrificed Itself for Kherson
One small town in Ukraine held off a Russian attack and helped liberate a key regional capital.
Turkey Is NATO’s Pivot Point Over Ukraine
Erdogan is trying to strike a balance of being pro-Ukraine but not anti-Russia.
The Perpetually Irrational Ukraine Debate
The war continues to be discussed in ways that are self-serving—and self-defeating.