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
Russia’s War Economy Is Hitting Its Limits
Key weapons are running out as Moscow tries to mobilize ever more labor and resources.
In Defense of Sanctions
The European Union’s top diplomat makes the case for sanctions to protect global peace.
Why Ukraine Is Ready to Gamble on Trump
Kyiv has been increasingly frustrated with the outgoing Biden team, and a Kamala Harris victory would have posed its own challenges.
Before Trump Returns, Congress Should Buy Weapons for Ukraine
An arms procurement fund would secure Ukraine’s ability to fight while helping American workers.
North Korea Joining Russia’s War Is a Sign of Weakness
Instead of leveraging Moscow’s faltering prospects by upping aid to Ukraine, Western leaders are paralyzed by fright.
Ukraine Walks a Tightrope on the U.S. Election
Dependent on American support for the war, Kyiv is trying to avoid getting caught in the politics of it all.
A Western Victory Plan for Ukraine
Lofty rhetoric can’t hide the lack of serious thinking about what a credible victory would entail.
Why North Korea’s Deployment of Troops to Russia Really Matters
Questions abound about the combat quality of Pyongyang’s troops, but they could bail out Moscow and end up alarming Seoul.
Russia’s Virtual Reality Is Where Conservatives Can Find Their Dreams
The Kremlin has devised a very 21st-century way to gather fellow travelers.
Ukraine Faces a Double Threat if Russia Takes Pokrovsk
The eastern city is a key military hub, but it’s also critical to Ukraine’s steel industry.
What a New Book’s Explosive Revelations Tell Us About Biden, Trump, and Putin
Bob Woodward’s “War” suggests Biden may have stopped a nuclear war even as Trump was secretly talking to Russia’s president.
Inside Kursk, Ukrainians Hope for a Path to Victory
Kyiv wants to hold land to trade with Moscow in any future peace deal.
North Korean Shells Fuel Russia’s War—and Kim’s Ambitions
Pyongyang’s decrepit artillery rounds have kept Russia in the fight, and they might be the currency of even greater threats in Asia.
Don’t Let Germany Go Back to Its Old Russia Tricks
How Washington can make sure that Berlin’s Gazprom era is over.
After Centuries, Ukraine Cuts Religious Ties With Russia
But implementing the new ban on Russia-linked churches could get messy.
The Art of Punishing Putin
A new book offers a masterful glimpse into the world of economic warfare.