Russia’s War in Ukraine

Military news, global diplomacy, negotiations, and sanctions.

All four men sit on matching chairs in front of the flags of their respective countries, side by side, with their feet resting on the border of an ornate rug. Starmer and Zelensky's eyes are locked; the other two watch intently from either side.
All four men sit on matching chairs in front of the flags of their respective countries, side by side, with their feet resting on the border of an ornate rug. Starmer and Zelensky's eyes are locked; the other two watch intently from either side.

A Ukraine Peace Deal Could Be Getting Closer

Here’s what Trump can do to get there.

Argument
David Ignatius
Maria Semyonova, wife of a Russian soldier, poses in front of a recruitment poster in Moscow on December 17, 2023.
Maria Semyonova, wife of a Russian soldier, poses in front of a recruitment poster in Moscow on December 17, 2023.

How to Fight Putin on the Information Battlefield

The West can’t fully adopt Russia’s methods—but it should study them. This article has an audio recording

Argument
Peter Pomerantsev, Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility on February 8, 2023 in Dorset, England.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility on February 8, 2023 in Dorset, England.

Ukraine Can Only Rely on Itself

In any peace deal with Russia, security guarantees from outsiders won't guarantee much. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Anchal Vohra
A blond woman in a black suit sits behind a sign with her last name on it. The EU flag is seen behind her.
A blond woman in a black suit sits behind a sign with her last name on it. The EU flag is seen behind her.

Ukraine’s New U.S. Ambassador Previews Her Pragmatic Approach to Washington

“I am Ukrainian, right? I’m not a Democrat or Republican.”

Interview
Sam Skove
Dmitriev, a man with white but balding hair in a suit and wearing glasses, stands next to a young soldier in an ornate dress uniform and helmet. The younger man is giving Dmitriev the side-eye.
Dmitriev, a man with white but balding hair in a suit and wearing glasses, stands next to a young soldier in an ornate dress uniform and helmet. The younger man is giving Dmitriev the side-eye.

Putin’s Unlikely Envoy to Washington

Kirill Dmitriev is a prominent purveyor of the Kremlin’s line—but real power may lie elsewhere. This article has an audio recording

Profile
Sam Skove, John Haltiwanger
Joe Biden, in silhouette, walks up stairs to board a plane, with ominous dark clouds in the background.
Joe Biden, in silhouette, walks up stairs to board a plane, with ominous dark clouds in the background.

Biden’s Long Shadow Over Ukraine

His administration failed Ukraine at almost every turn, shaping the war to this day. This article has an audio recording

Essay
Adrian Karatnycky

Battlefield Strategy

A fiery orange and black explosion behind a gray razor wire fence.
A fiery orange and black explosion behind a gray razor wire fence.

Ukraine Is Hitting Russia Where It Hurts: Its Oil Refineries

Kyiv’s two-year offensive against Russian oil facilities has intensified, eating away at Moscow’s energy revenues.

Analysis
Keith Johnson
Soldiers of the 115th Mechanized Brigade in a house where they are staying when not on the front lines near Lyman, Ukraine.
Soldiers of the 115th Mechanized Brigade in a house where they are staying when not on the front lines near Lyman, Ukraine.

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.

Dispatch
Fabrice Deprez
Drones fly above grass in an open field dotted with trees and small sheds.
Drones fly above grass in an open field dotted with trees and small sheds.

How Russia Is Escalating the Drone Arms Race

Routine strikes involve smaller, daily launches designed to keep steady pressure on Ukraine. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Yasir Atalan
The oil tanker Eagle S is seen anchored near the Kilpilahti port in Porvoo, on the Gulf of Finland, on Jan. 7.
The oil tanker Eagle S is seen anchored near the Kilpilahti port in Porvoo, on the Gulf of Finland, on Jan. 7.

The ‘Paper Tiger’ Still Has Its Shadow Fleet

Trump says Russia is in economic trouble—but there’s a loophole in the West’s sanctions.

Argument
Petras Katinas

Wartime Diplomacy

From left, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
From left, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

Trump Makes U-Turn on Ukraine Rhetoric

Trump says Ukraine can win back all of its territory.

Report
Sam Skove
A Finnish defender is seen near the front during the Finnish-Soviet Winter War in early 1940.
A Finnish defender is seen near the front during the Finnish-Soviet Winter War in early 1940.

The Ghost of Finlandization Is Haunting the Ukraine Debate

A 1944 armistice that traded land for peace is a poor precedent for ending Russia’s war. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Kristi Raik
U.S. President Donald Trump announces U.S. strikes on Iran with Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth standing alongside, at the White House in Washington on June 21.
U.S. President Donald Trump announces U.S. strikes on Iran with Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth standing alongside, at the White House in Washington on June 21.

An Emerging Trump Doctrine?

Success in the Middle East could be a template for a new approach to Russia’s war.

Argument
Adrian Karatnycky
Workers construct an outdoor ice skating rink in Red Square in downtown Moscow on Nov. 9, 2021.
Workers construct an outdoor ice skating rink in Red Square in downtown Moscow on Nov. 9, 2021.

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. This article has an audio recording

Argument
Nicholas Fenton, Maria Snegovaya

Regional Dynamics

U.S. Marines take part in the international military exercise Cold Response 22 near Sandstrand in northern Norway on March 21, 2022.
U.S. Marines take part in the international military exercise Cold Response 22 near Sandstrand in northern Norway on March 21, 2022.

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. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Fabian Hoffmann
Ukrainian soldiers hold the Ukrainian and Lithuanian flags over the coffin of Tomas Valentelis, a Lithuanian volunteer in the Ukrainian army who was killed in battle in Ukraine, at a funeral ceremony in Kyiv on April 16.
Ukrainian soldiers hold the Ukrainian and Lithuanian flags over the coffin of Tomas Valentelis, a Lithuanian volunteer in the Ukrainian army who was killed in battle in Ukraine, at a funeral ceremony in Kyiv on April 16.

To Deter Russia, Europe Needs Ukraine

A Ukraine-Baltics defense pact would bring Kyiv into Europe’s security architecture.

Argument
Fredrik Wesslau
The oil tanker Eagle S next to Finnish border guard ship Uisko and tugboat Ukko in the Gulf of Finland on December 28, 2024.
The oil tanker Eagle S next to Finnish border guard ship Uisko and tugboat Ukko in the Gulf of Finland on December 28, 2024.

Anchors Away

Finland’s failure to convict Russian crew clears the way for more cable-cutting attacks.

Argument
Elisabeth Braw
A photo of two white tanks near a yellow crane. A blue-and-white tanker carrying liquified natural gas is docked nearby in snow and sea ice. White smoke billows out of its smokestack.
A photo of two white tanks near a yellow crane. A blue-and-white tanker carrying liquified natural gas is docked nearby in snow and sea ice. White smoke billows out of its smokestack.

The China-Russia Axis Is Getting Firmer, and It’s Built on Gas

Moscow pivoted to the east a decade ago, but it is now besmitten—or captive.

Analysis
Keith Johnson

Latest Stories

Priest Oleg helps Vuhledar evacuee Katya into his van
Priest Oleg helps Vuhledar evacuee Katya into his van

Civilians on Ukraine’s Front Lines Face Food and Water Shortages and Worse—Lack of Medication

The battle for the Donbas could well be the deadliest phase of the war.

Dispatch
Liz Cookman
An outdoor screen shows a virtual meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Beijing on December 15, 2021.
An outdoor screen shows a virtual meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Beijing on December 15, 2021.

Why China Threads the Needle on Ukraine

Beijing is confident in the United States’ decline and unwilling to rock the boat.

Argument
Andrew J. Nathan
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto

Finnish President: Putin Took NATO Application News ‘Very, Very Calmly’

Sauli Niinisto tells FP about his country’s decision to join the alliance—and the Russian president’s response.

Insider
Amy Mackinnon
People help a young child in a pink coat cross a bridge.
People help a young child in a pink coat cross a bridge.

It’s Time to End the Age of Impunity

The first hundred days of war in Ukraine represented the worst of modern warfare.

Argument
David Miliband
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas

Estonia’s Prime Minister: ‘We Need to Help Ukraine Win’

Kaja Kallas talks about the threat from Russia, the future of the war, and what should come next for NATO in the Baltics.

Insider
Benjamin Bathke
A crater and damaged building in the Donbas
A crater and damaged building in the Donbas

Ukraine Wants Longer-Range Ammunition for Donbas Gunfight

“We’re still not giving them what they want,” one U.S. source told Foreign Policy.

Report
Jack Detsch, Amy Mackinnon
An earth mover prepares the construction site of the new Topography of Terror information and exhibition center behind a photograph of Adolf Hitler shaking hands with Heinrich Himmler on Jan. 29, 2008 in Berlin, Germany.
An earth mover prepares the construction site of the new Topography of Terror information and exhibition center behind a photograph of Adolf Hitler shaking hands with Heinrich Himmler on Jan. 29, 2008 in Berlin, Germany.

Will Teaching Aggressors a Lesson Deter Future Wars?

Calls to inflict a decisive defeat on Russia are misguided and won’t necessarily prevent Putin or others from using force.

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) speaks to Chinese President Xi Jinping as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese first lady Akie Abe look on at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) speaks to Chinese President Xi Jinping as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese first lady Akie Abe look on at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.

What the West (Still) Gets Wrong About Putin

Asking whether to appease or not appease him is completely beside the point.

Argument
Tatiana Stanovaya
Dimitry Sytii (C), founder of the mining company Lobaye Invest and placed under U.S. Treasury sanctions for his alleged links to the Wagner group, is surrounded by Central African deputies on the steps of the National Assembly in Bangui on October 15, 2021.
Dimitry Sytii (C), founder of the mining company Lobaye Invest and placed under U.S. Treasury sanctions for his alleged links to the Wagner group, is surrounded by Central African deputies on the steps of the National Assembly in Bangui on October 15, 2021.

Putin’s World Order Would Be Devastating for Africa

Moscow is already deeply involved in destabilizing wars.

Argument
Joseph Siegle, Jeffrey Smith
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) speaks during a news conference with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto at the State Department in Washington on May 27.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) speaks during a news conference with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto at the State Department in Washington on May 27.

Finland Is Set for NATO—if Turkey Plays Ball

Turkey’s objections to new NATO members are a speed bump, not a roadblock, says Finnish Foreign Minister.

Report
Amy Mackinnon
A man walks past a building with a banner in support of Russian military action in Ukraine
A man walks past a building with a banner in support of Russian military action in Ukraine

Putin Hasn’t Gone Far Enough for Russia’s Hawks

There’s dissent—but not from peaceniks.

Report
Amy Mackinnon
Ukrainian police forensic experts exhume a body.
Ukrainian police forensic experts exhume a body.

Russia’s War in Ukraine Could Become Genocide

Moscow is already carrying out ethnic cleansing.

Argument
Azeem Ibrahim
A boy sits on the ruins of a building.
A boy sits on the ruins of a building.

Russia’s War in Ukraine Enters ‘Grinding Phase’

And there could be a risk of Ukrainian attrition.

Situation Report
Jack Detsch
A destroyed Russian main battle tank rusts next to the main highway into the city on May 20, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A destroyed Russian main battle tank rusts next to the main highway into the city on May 20, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Pentagon Deputy: Russia’s Defense Industry ‘Will Feel’ Pain of Ukraine War

Russia’s vaunted defense modernization depends on precisely the Western gear it can no longer acquire.

Dispatch
Jack Detsch
Honor guards carry the coffin of Rustam Zarifulin, a Kyrgyz soldier who died fighting for Russia in Ukraine, in Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan, on March 27.
Honor guards carry the coffin of Rustam Zarifulin, a Kyrgyz soldier who died fighting for Russia in Ukraine, in Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan, on March 27.

Restive Caucasus Sees Signs of Discontent with Putin’s War

But with power increasingly centralized in the Kremlin, don’t look for Moscow’s empire to fracture anytime soon.

Analysis
Maximilian Hess
An airport vehicle pulls a portion of a shipment of weapons that include Javelin anti-tank missiles and other military hardware delivered on a National Airlines plane by the United States military at Boryspil Airport near Kyiv on January 25, 2022 in Boryspil, Ukraine.
An airport vehicle pulls a portion of a shipment of weapons that include Javelin anti-tank missiles and other military hardware delivered on a National Airlines plane by the United States military at Boryspil Airport near Kyiv on January 25, 2022 in Boryspil, Ukraine.

Inside a Major Nerve Center for Shipping Military Aid to Ukraine

In just a few weeks, U.S. and British officials have turned an ad hoc operation into a pipeline.

Dispatch
Jack Detsch
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