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
NATO Chief Says Ukraine Air Defense Likely Cause of Poland Explosion
Russia still to blame for incident after bombarding Ukraine with missiles, Stoltenberg says.
Zelensky’s Travel Ban on Ukrainian Men Could Damage War Morale
New survey data shows a majority of Ukrainians do not support the travel ban in its current form.
Kyiv’s Metro Is a Symbol of the City’s Resilience
Soviet authorities built the transit system to withstand a potential NATO attack. Now, stations are shielding Ukrainians from Russian missiles.
U.S. Struggles to Help Ukraine Keep the Lights On
Ukraine needs heaters as much as HIMARS.
Ukraine Pushes Russia Out of Kherson, the Biggest Liberation Yet
Ukraine is continuing its offensive—even in subzero temperatures.
Welcome to the New Age of Nukes
Russia’s posturing may encourage a dangerous wave of nuclear diplomacy.
Dual-Use Goods Are Fueling Russia’s War on Ukraine
Russia’s advanced military systems are dependent on components from the West.
How Ukraine Figures in Last-Minute Midterm Pitches
Ahead of tomorrow’s polls, foreign policy looms large in a Virginia district seen as a bellwether for national trends.
6 Wrong Lessons for Taiwan From the War in Ukraine
A potential Asian war would look very different.
Europe’s Seabed Is Its Soft Underbelly
Explosions along the Nord Stream pipelines have exposed the vulnerability of energy and communications networks in the continent’s northern seas.
Why Isn’t Russia a Democracy?
The country wasn’t preordained to despotism or a clash with the West.
Ukraine’s War Is Like World War I, Not World War II
The West is using the wrong analogy for Russia’s invasion—and worsening the outcome.
Ukraine Says It Needs More Guns, Shells, and Firepower
“We are requesting new rounds all the time that have longer range and more explosiveness,” said one Ukrainian military official.
The U.S. Needs a New Strategy to Stop Saudi and Iranian Support for Russia
Riyadh and Tehran are rivals on almost everything, but they are both supporting Russia’s war effort to give Washington a black eye.
Russia’s Ukraine Disaster Exposes China’s Military Weakness
Beijing knows its own military has much in common with Moscow's ineffective force.
The Defiance of Celebrating Literature in the Midst of War
How this year’s Lviv BookForum in Ukraine became an act of solidarity.