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.
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 We Got Here in the Russia-Ukraine War
Our must-read articles on the state of the conflict, its impact on the global order, and the chance for peace.

Will European Troops Enforce a Cease-Fire in Ukraine?
France is drumming up support for a peacekeeping force. It may be Europe’s only option to prevent an even bloodier war.

Ukraine Backers Make Last-Ditch Effort to Seize Russian Assets
With Trump heading to the White House again, it’s now or never to finance Kyiv, advocates say.

Can Trump Really End the War in Ukraine?
A Ukrainian Nobel Peace Prize winner weighs in on his prospects.

What a Victorious Ukraine Can Offer Europe
With trans-Atlantic cooperation under scrutiny, a battle-tested land power will be ready to step into the breach.

Trump Should Make Putin Wince Before They Sit Down to Talk
A maximum pressure campaign would raise the likelihood of a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine.

China and North Korea Throw U.S. War Plans Out the Window
The intervention of Asian powers in Europe nullifies decades of U.S. strategic planning.

Ukraine’s Missing Medical Mobilization
Kyiv’s reluctance to fully mobilize means that frontline medical units are perpetually short on staff.

The Pitfalls for Europe of a Trump-Putin Deal on Ukraine
Russian interest in peace is no given, and Europe may not be on board.

The Price of a Bad Peace
The West is tired. Putin is not.

Putin Is Throwing Human Waves at Ukraine but Can’t Do It Forever
The Russian meat grinder strategy is terribly effective, terribly wasteful, and boundlessly cruel.

The Only Way to Achieve Lasting Peace in Ukraine
History shows that security arrangements alone will not be enough.

Biden’s Complicated Ukraine Legacy
A vital but halting supply of military aid has opened up the U.S. president to criticism from all sides.

New Missiles Won’t Change Ukraine’s Broken War Math
The incoming Trump administration needs to learn from Biden’s mistakes.

The Russia-Ukraine War in 2030
Let’s imagine a future much like the past—with Moscow and Kyiv irreconcilable but agreeing to manage their war.

Ukraine Is Now a Proxy War for Asian Powers
Growing East Asian involvement shows that Putin’s war has already gone global.